Had the ARU lost the battle to re-sign Lote Tuqiri last year, I believe he would have become one of the most damaging back-rowers in rugby league.

The transition from rugby winger to league second-rower is a massive challenge, as Wendell Sailor is about to learn. But there is no doubt that Tuqiri would have made it had he gone back to the 13-man game.

Both codes are totally different and constantly evolving, but one factor in common is that good wingers aren't standing on the wing catching a cold while they wait for the ball to find them.

Ben Tune and Joe Roff set the standard for the new style of winger by working all over the paddock. Tune and Roff could always do the business on the end of the back line, and could make you some hard yards up the middle as well.

That's what Tuqiri is doing now. League has changed a lot in recent years - halfbacks play like hookers and there are plenty of runs from dummy half in the first three or four tackles. And there are plenty of centres that have ended up in the back row, such as Ruben Wiki, David Kidwell and Sonny Bill Williams.

Tuqiri would be effective in the same way because of his amazing work rate, and that's why I reckon he would have ended up in the forwards in league.

Tuqiri will go down as one of the greatest players of his era. He has already played 58 Tests and there's a lot more in him yet. League recognised that and that's why they were so desperate to get him. There was a lot made of the high price they were prepared to pay for a winger, but I don't think for one moment they would have left him in that position.

The move to the back row might not appeal to Tuqiri but that's my opinion on where he'd end up due to his workrate and physicality. He's 100 kilograms plus, fast and loves to get involved. There was some talk about moving him to No.13, but I believe the wing is his best position in rugby.

Some of the criticism towards Tuqiri in the past has been over the top and even now we probably understate how well he's playing. NSW's opening games were played on wet tracks, conditions that don't normally suit outside backs.

Despite that, Tuqiri has been a standout. He, Stirling Mortlock and Matt Giteau would be the first players picked for the Wallabies. You saw how passionate he is about the Waratahs' jersey in last season's incident with Sam Norton-Knight. While I don't condone the behaviour, it showed how committed to the cause he is.

This year he has been one of the best players in the Super 14. Before last night, Tuqiri had scored three tries, broken 33 tackles and made 10 line breaks. He's the second-highest try scorer for NSW and is a good role model for other young players coming through. Young Lachlan Turner, the top try scorer, could learn a lot from him.

Personality-wise, Tuqiri reminds me a bit of Tim Horan. The top players - guys such as Giteau, Horan and Tuqiri - play hard on and off the field and have a cheeky streak. They are great blokes to be around and everybody wants to walk down the tunnel with them.

The other thing they have in common is they play and train at 100 per cent all the time. And when you spend some time with them you realise they are good, genuine blokes.

The transition from league to rugby hasn't been easy for Tuqiri, and getting used to the rules, training and other changes were initially difficult, although he did have a rugby background as a junior. But he's a leader now and and not afraid to give his opinion on different aspects of the game. Much like Mortlock, he's the sort of guy you want to play with.

A faction within the ARU wanted him to go to league. I'm glad he saw the light and stayed in rugby.