The Queensland Rugby Union has shot down speculation Lote Tuqiri is in their sights for a radical Super 14 return in the Reds backline.

The Courier-Mail reported on Wednesday that former Wallabies coach John Connolly is behind a proposal that Tuqiri, sacked by the ARU this year and barred from playing professionally in Australia, could be recruited as an amateur.

The report claimed the audacious plan, which involved the high-profile winger receiving third-party money to the tune of $350,000, could exploit a legal loophole.

But the QRU on Wednesday denied they were considering any thought of offering Tuqiri, currently searching for a new contract either overseas or in the NRL, a lifeline.

"We have no plans to recruit Lote Tuqiri," a QRU spokesman said.

"We've had no discussions with Tuqiri or his manager and won't be pursuing that untested proposition as an option."

Connolly remains in the mix to be the battling Reds coach in 2010 after being interviewed along with early favourite Ewen McKenzie last Friday.

Connolly is seen as a possible one-season caretaker before the job is taken long term by preferred candidate Michael Foley, who is currently the Waratahs assistant coach.

McKenzie coached Tuqiri for five seasons at NSW, where he led the Waratahs to three Super rugby finals series.

Tuqiri was expected to sign a lucrative deal in France after reaching a settlement with the ARU in August following the termination of his contract for undisclosed reasons.

But leading club Bayonne last month pulled out of negotiations after complaining the dual international's asking price of $800,000 was too steep.

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