O'Neill: 'Tuqiri had been warned'
Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:35
High-profile Wallaby winger Lote Tuqiri was on a warning before his controversial sacking by the Australian Rugby Union, the organisation's boss John O'Neill said on Thursday.
Two-time World Cup player Tuqiri, 29, was sacked by the ARU on Wednesday over a "standard employment matter," with the ARU refusing to fully disclose details, citing legal reasons.
But ARU chief executive O'Neill said Tuqiri had received a letter two years ago warning that further contract breaches would not be tolerated.
Representatives of Tuqiri have said the 67-Test veteran would fight his axing through the courts.
There were reports that Tuqiri, overlooked for selection for the past four Tests by Wallabies' coach Robbie Deans, had been at the centre of an ongoing internal ARU probe following allegations of inappropriate behaviour in a public place.
Sydney's Daily Telegraph said the high-earning Tuqiri, who has scored 30 tries since his 2003 debut, had been axed by the ARU after an investigation into an "off-field incident." Tuqiri was halfway through a five-year contract he signed with the ARU in early 2007.
O'Neill appeared at a press conference on Thursday to announce Australia's 30-man squad for the Tri-Nations series against New Zealand and South Africa, but was guarded in his responses when quizzed over the Tuqiri issue.
"Clearly the decision to terminate a contract is one that requires a lot of consideration," O'Neill said. "We gave that consideration and reached the conclusion with our eyes wide open."
O'Neill confirmed he had written a letter to Tuqiri in 2007 following an off-field incident, but described it as "a warning" rather than a last chance.
"It's in the public arena that back in mid-August '07 Lote was provided with a letter from me which indicated that due to a couple of offences at the time he was on a warning that further breaches would not be tolerated," he said.
O'Neill denied he had a personal agenda against Tuqiri and also denied the player's large salary - reportedly 700,000 dollars (560,000 US) a year, plus third-party deals - was a factor.
"We are not going into the reasons for that termination. We will be making no further comment because the termination of his contract may lead to legal proceedings," he said.
Tuqiri's agent, Les Ross, confirmed the former Wallabies winger would fight his axing.
"All I can tell you is that Lote disputes that the ARU are entitled to terminate his contract and he has retained a solicitor and senior counsel to immediately commence proceedings against the ARU," Ross told Australian Associated Press on Wednesday.
Tuqiri's dumping has attracted National Rugby League clubs interested in whether he wanted to return to rugby league.
"We'd be very happy to take him back," Brisbane Broncos coach Ivan Henjak said Thursday, while rival clubs, Gold Coast and Parramatta, have also made their intentions known.
Tuqiri played all his 99 NRL games for the Broncos, winning the 2000 premiership and representing Queensland and Australia as well as playing three Tests for his native Fiji before he switched codes in 2003.
The Rugby Union Players' Association (RUPA) said Tuqiri had made a significant positive contribution to Australian rugby over a six-year period on and off the field.
"Whilst Lote's exploits on the field are well-documented he has also proved to be a strong role model in the community at large, as typified by his ambassador roles in the charities," RUPA chief executive Tony Dempsey said Thursday.
SAPA-AFP
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