Australian rugby boss John O’Neill has denied he pursued a personal agenda against sacked Wallabies winger Lote Tuqiri. O’Neill fronted the media on Thursday but continued to refuse to disclose the reasons for the sudden termination of Tuqiri’s contract on Wednesday.
The ARU chief executive and managing director read a statement before stone-walling the majority of questions from reporters.
“We are not going into the reasons for that termination,” the statement read.
“We will be making no further comment because the termination of his contract may lead to legal proceedings.
“I see in the newspapers this morning there is the threat of legal proceedings over the decision to terminate Lote’s contract.
“You’ll therefore understand that we are not in the position to make any further comment at all.”
But asked if he had a personal agenda against the 67-Test veteran, O’Neill said: “That’s ridiculous, completely. That’s completely untrue and anyone who suggests that should think again.”
O’Neill also denied Tuqiri’s massive salary – reportedly $700,000 a year plus third-party deals – was a factor.
“That wasn’t part of our consideration,” he said.
When it was suggested the termination must have been the result of a significant issue, O’Neill said: “Cleary the decision to terminate a contract is one that requires a lot of consideration.
“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,” O’Neill said.
O’Neill said the ARU had consulted with Tuqiri’s Super 14 franchise the NSW Waratahs and they had agreed with the decision to sack the winger.
O’Neill said Tuqiri had been “a very good player” but stopped short of describing him as a good ambassador for the game.
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans denied Tuqiri’s non-selection for Australia’s first four internationals this year had been designed to phase the 29-year-old out.
“Lote was in the squad previously so … he would have been considered (for the Tri-Nations series beginning later this month),” he said.
“Clearly he’s been part of the squad. He was part of the considerations up til this point.”
Deans said he was hopeful the affair would not distract the Wallabies, who play their first Tri-Nations match against New Zealand in Auckland on July 18.
“I’d hope it won’t be a distraction to them,” he said.
Australian Rugby Union chief executive and managing director John O’Neill delivered the following statement on Thursday before taking questions on the termination of Lote Tuqiri’s contract:
“In reference to our announcement last night, Lote Tuqiri’s contract has been terminated. We are not going into the reasons for that termination.
“As we said in our statement, we will be making no further comment because the termination of his contract may lead to legal proceedings.
“I see in the newspapers this morning there is the threat of legal proceedings over the decision to terminate Lote’s contract. You’ll therefore understand that we are not in the position to make any further comment at all.
“Lote Tuqiri and his management are aware of the reasons for the termination. If they want to discuss the situation with you we have no problem with that. To reiterate our stance, we will not be making any further comment on this matter.”
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