Former rugby league and union great Lote Tuqiri gives modelling a try
Former rugby league and union great Lote Tuqiri is trying his hand at modelling after retiring from the code and, while he’s enjoying giving his body a break from the tough nature of the game, he is missing one aspect of the sport.
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Former rugby league and union player Lote Tuqiri has landed his first modelling gig.
The retired sportsman, who has been immersed in the world cup in recent weeks, said he’s found something else to do since hanging up his footy boots.
“I don’t miss the game,” Tuqiri told The Daily Telegraph.
“The only thing I really miss is the camaraderie in the change room and the boys. I don’t miss the impacts and everything else. I watch the game and think I don’t know how I did that for so long.
“My wife is happy I’m not playing and my body is happy. I can focus on modelling and can actually play around with my kids,” he said with a laugh.
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Tuqiri has recently landed his first brand ambassador role with UK clothing brand Raging Bull, and has taken a liking to being in front of the camera.
“I’ve never been comfortable in front of the camera, maybe on the footy field, but I’m actually happy with the result of these pics,” he said.
“I ask my wife for tips when it comes to what to do in front of the camera. She tells me ‘you’re looking good babe’ and gives me a bit of confidence and that’s all I need.”
Raging Bull, founded by ex-England rugby union international Phil Vickery MBE, is one of a slew of UK brands set to be introduced to department store Myer this season, with the retailer looking for a point of difference in the market.
“I reckon there’s a lot of blokes in Australia who will get a lot out of this brand,” Tuqiri said.
“The product is well made and suits blokes like myself and bigger blokes as well.
“Often the bigger size brands aren’t that cool and they are shapeless, so there’s a big market here for them.”
Group General Manager of Menswear at Myer, Tara Broomfield said while local labels continue to sell well, coveted international brands provide them with an edge over its competitors.
They have also enlisted UK brands Misguided, Warehouse, Oasis, Girls on Film and Joseph.
“We have quite a few UK brands coming in this season,” Broomfield said.
“Australians are always looking online and are often looking for UK brands, so it’s important to get those in store so customers can touch and feel the product.”
“This is an attempt for us to have a point of difference without all those same same brands. “We still have a lot of Australian brands which is fantastic, but the introduction of these UK brands does give us a point of difference.”
The Australian Retailers Association president Russell Zimmerman said department stores including Myer are changing up their business model to lure new shoppers through their doors.
“Consumers are looking for a point of difference,” Zimmerman said.
“You can probably go through the average shopping centre in Australia and if you were blindfolded before you went in, you probably wouldn’t know what shop you were in.
“Retailers need an absolute point of difference and are looking to create some excitement, something that’s different and something that’s new, so they are offering something they haven’t offered before. That’s why they are going to these UK retailers that aren’t generally available in local retail stores.