Lote Tuqiri didn’t recognise himself when he looked up at the big screen to watch replays of his superman try against Manly in Friday’s qualifying final.

And it had nothing to do with the unfamiliar sight of his shaven head.

Earlier this year Tuqiri looked in the mirror and saw a man who might have played on one year too long.

Languishing in NSW Cup with the North Sydney Bears, Tuqiri couldn’t help but think the NRL had passed him by.

But in a convincing 40-24 win over Manly which launched Souths to within one game of the grand final, the celebrated dual-international wound back the clock for one of the most memorable performances of his career.

Tuqiri could barely believe he was the athlete with the vertical leap who monstered Sea Eagles’ opposite Jorge Taufua – 12 years his junior – to score the try of the NRL finals so far.

“I was probably surprised myself. When I was walking back after I scored I was watching the big screen and thinking, ‘who is that bloke?'” he said.

“Lote Folau?”

Tuqiri – who turns 35 before Souths’ next game – says he has absolutely no idea whether he’ll play on for a 17th season of professional football next year.

However, he does know that he’s currently in the midst of the very reason why he came back – finals football.

Injuries and poor form marred his final two years at the Wests Tigers, who refused to offer him a contract for this year.

A stint with Irish rugby club Leinster finished prematurely in the wake of a personal controversy involving Tuqiri.

But the Fijian-born star accepted a lifeline with Souths and despite a less than auspicious start to 2014, Tuqiri turned things around and now has a chance to add another title to his dazzling resume across two codes.

He credits hard work, but admits there’s an element of luck involved when it comes to an old man holding his own in a position where his opponents are young and explosive.

“I love a big game, everyone does. That’s what you play the big games for and that’s why I came back to play in the NRL,” he said.

“It’s been a long year, and I’m just happy I’m on this path. Early in the year I didn’t think it was going to happen.

“There were times where I was thinking the opportunity may have gone, but luck was handed to me and I probably still need a bit of luck in the next game.”