Lote Tuqiri's interest in pursuing a short-term overseas rugby union contract during the off-season appears to be the sticking point in the dual international finalising an NRL return with the Wests Tigers.

The Tigers issued a statement on Thursday denying they had come to terms with the Fijian-born flyer, with chief executive Stephen Humphreys saying the club would be complying with an NRL edict that players weren't allowed to have guest stints with other codes when under a rugby league contract.

"We absolutely refute the suggestion today that Wests Tigers have agreed to terms with Lote Tuqiri," Humphreys said.

"As I have stated publicly before, we are in discussions with Lote Tuqiri.

"We do expect him to make his intentions clear about his playing future shortly and whilst we are hopeful of securing his services, I must re-iterate at this point in time, we have neither verbally agreed to terms nor signed any agreement.

"We have been consulting with the NRL and support their stance in not allowing players to have guest stints with rival codes. We understand the rules and will comply with them at all times.

"Should Lote decide to pursue a path other than the NRL, he would do so without any guarantee of a future position at Wests Tigers."

Tuqiri was sacked by the Australian Rugby Union in July, after a 67-Test career with the Wallabies.

Tuqiri, who also played rugby league for Australia during his NRL career with Brisbane, is an obvious target for NRL clubs but apparently is also keen on a lucrative spell playing rugby union in either England or France during the off-season.

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