The speculation surrounding rugby league giant Lote Tuqiri's playing future is set to end with the news he has decided to switch to union.

All that is left to be decided is the timing of the announcement and whcih Super 12 side he will appear for.

The Courier-Mail reports that the Brisbane Broncos and State of Origin star will pocket around A$375,000 (£140,000) a year from the Austrlaian Rugby Union and either the ACT Brumbies or NSW Waratahs, plus A$10,000 a Test, the same deal as fellow league defector Mat Rogers.

In 2003, a World Cup year, the Wallabies will play up to 14 Tests.

Fellow big name rugby league recruit Wendell Sailor received A$425,000 (£155,00) up front, a A$100,000 sponsorship deal and A$10,000 a Test.

Broncos and Queensland coach Wayne Bennett is believed to be resigned to losing Tuqiri but is likely to advise him to make his announcement before the Australian rugby league Test side is named for the clash with Great Britain, or after the match.

The ACT Brumbies say if Lote Tuqiri wants to switch to rugby union and play for the Wallabies at the World Cup he should firstly join them.

The Brumbies say that if the 22-year-old does accept the ARU's offer then playing in their team with the likes of Test stars George Gregan, Stephen Larkham, Pat Howard, Stirling Mortlock, Andrew Walker and Joe Roff.

"He gets the opportunity to play with those Test backline players so we believe if Lote wants to be in the World Cup then the best place to achieve that would be with the Brumbies," Brumbies team adviser David Pembroke said.

"We're extremely interested and we're looking forward to speaking to him to tell him about the Brumbies.

"We believe we have a good package to present to him because he would be playing with a team that has shown that it does move the ball around and brings its wingers into play as regularly as it can."

The Brumbies are keen to secure Tuqiri's services because they missed out on Tuqiri's former teammate Wendell Sailor last year, and with Roff back from France and Graeme Bond headed overseas, would likely put him on the wing.

The Waratahs are also keen to have Tuqiri play for them, and they are believed to have impressed him with their attacking style in the Super 12 season, but with topline outside backs Chris Latham, Ben Tune and Sailor Queensland is not expected to chase him.

"We would be keen on Lote and I know the Brumbies are, but Sydney has its advantages," NSW Rugby chief executive John McKay said.

"The Waratahs have been playing a very attacking brand of football, making the semis, and in terms of the team there is an opportunity there (for Tuqiri)."