After sacking Lote Tuqiri, ARU has another Wallaby in its sights
Bret Harris and Wayne Smith | July 04, 2009
Article from: The Australian
THE ARU is believed to be closely monitoring the behaviour of another Wallaby following the sacking of winger Lote Tuqiri for breaking team protocols.
ARU chief executive John O'Neill tore up Tuqiri's multi-million-dollar contract on Wednesday, but refused to reveal the reason. The matter is now expected to become the subject of a legal battle.
But it is understood that Tuqiri was not the only player the ARU had concerns about in relation to alleged misconduct.
One particular player is believed to be very much in the sights of ARU powerbrokers.
Any player who has already received two written warnings from the ARU could potentially suffer the same fate as Tuqiri if he transgresses again.
Meanwhile, NSW Waratahs have revealed they approached the ARU to see if Tuqiri could continue to play with them in the Super 14 series.
Tuqiri is the highest-profile player at the Waratahs and his loss will be felt much harder at the provincial level than in the national arena.
The Waratahs argued that while Tuqiri was in breach of the Wallabies team protocols, he has not broken any rules with the Waratahs.
"It's a question we asked and looked at, but it can't happen," Waratahs coach Chris Hickey said.
"The contract is a tri-party agreement between the ARU, the state union and the player. The ARU would have to sign the contract."
While Tuqiri is likely to play club rugby in France or return to the NRL, the Waratahs are now looking at using one of their two foreign player vacancies to replace him.
The depth in the Waratahs' outside backs has also been lessened by the loss of winger/centre Matt Carraro, who sought a release to join English club Bath.
Under ARU rules, the Super 14 teams can recruit one marquee import and one developing foreign player or two emerging players.
"We have to look at everyone who is available," Hickey said.
"A lot of players have completed their negotiations. If we have to look overseas, that's a possibility.
"We'd prefer to contract somebody in Australia, but the departure of Matt Carraro has compounded the issue for us."
The Waratahs, who are yet to replace Wallaby Dan Vickerman, were already looking to use one of their import spots to recruit a second-rower.
They attempted to recruit South African lock Anton van Zyl last year, but he did not meet the ARU's strict criteria.
"It's a long process to identify someone," Hickey said. "We are looking and talking to people, but we haven't reached the negotiation stage yet.
"But we need to fill a wing position and we need a lock."
The Waratahs have also expressed interest in the Wallabies inside back Berrick Barnes, who has held off re-signing with Queensland Reds until he is satisfied the team is heading in the right direction.
The Reds have released forwards coach Mark Bell and team manager Brendan Morris, while high performance manager Ben Whitaker resigned in protest.
"We have expressed interest in Berrick. He is aware of that and if he has some interest, he'll get back to us," Hickey said.
If Barnes decided to leave Queensland, he would also have the option of joining the Brumbies. There was speculation yesterday that the gulf between Barnes and the Reds was widening, but QRU chairman Peter Lewis was confident he would stay in Brisbane.
"We've had lengthy discussions with Berrick and we are very relaxed about it," Lewis said. "It's the same with Digby Ioane.
"I'm confident we'll put it to bed next week.
"With all the turmoil, one thing that has been overlooked is that we have not lost anyone with the exception of Hugh McMeniman (who is going to Japan).
"It's the first time in my tenure that we have achieved team stability and that should send a loud message."
The Reds will announce on Monday a new high-performance manager and coaching structure, but they are yet to replace Bell.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...015651,00.html
Tuqiri sacking angers Wallabies stars
Adrian Proszenko and Josh Rakic | July 5, 2009
THE Australian Rugby Union is facing a player revolt over the Lote Tuqiri affair, with some of the game's biggest stars livid over CEO John O'Neill's handling of the matter.
The ARU has refused to detail its reasons for sacking the Wallabies and Waratahs star for legal reasons, prompting a flood of criticism for its lack of transparency.
The decision has also angered a number of players - including Wallabies stars - who have lost a teammate without a proper explanation.
A source close to the Wallabies, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told The Sun-Herald that "2011 can't come soon enough for some of the players".
"They can't wait for the World Cup to be over so they can get away," the source explained. "Everyone's been thinking that for a while, I think.
"Players are scared of [O'Neill]. They think he's responsible for Lote being sacked but no one's game to say anything. They're shocked at it. I don't know how they think they can sack him."
Wallabies breakaway George Smith added: "We haven't been in camp this week, so I can't speak for the other players, but Lote has my full support in anything he does or decides to do. He's a great guy and good mate of mine, so I'll support him all the way. It's disappointing what's happened, not just for Lote but the players."
At a packed press conference on Wednesday, an evasive O'Neill denied he had a vendetta against Tuqiri.
However, The Sun-Herald understands that O'Neill threatened to sack then-Wallabies coach John Connolly for defending the Waratahs star after an off-field incident in 2007. Connolly believed Tuqiri should not have been stood down from the upcoming Test matches, a stance which enraged O'Neill.
"We did have a heated discussion and a couple of people know the context of that," Connolly told The Sun-Herald yesterday. "I won't be going into the details of what was said. I've got no problems if John wants to go public with that discussion."
O'Neill did not return calls yesterday.
Connolly said Tuqiri was a popular member of the Australian squad during his tenure. "He always created a positive team environment," he said. "The other players liked having him around and that is echoed by the support he has received publicly from several of them."
Tuqiri, who plans to take legal action over the proceedings, told Twitter he was deciding whether to return to rugby league or continue his rugby career overseas.
His options appear limited. While NRL CEO David Gallop said he would consider registering Tuqiri although the June 30 registration deadline has passed, the Waratahs winger would take a big pay cut if he returned to league.
Tuqiri and wife, Rebekka, flew into Brisbane on Thursday night to escape the media glare in Sydney.
St George Illawarra winger Wendell Sailor, sacked by the ARU for testing positive to cocaine in 2006, backed his former Broncos teammate.
"At the age of 29 his best football is still ahead of him," Sailor told Triple M radio yesterday. "Whatever he decides, I'll support him."
Asked if he believed the ARU had wanted an excuse to end Tuqiri's multimillion-dollar contract, he replied, "100 per cent, I do". "I'm not sure what he's done," he said. "If it's something little that they've hung him on, I see it as a [chance] to save $2.5 million-$3 million."
http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/n...127729807.html
