Wallabies captain Stirling Mortlock says his players are seeking certainty and clarification over the sacking of former teammate Lote Tuqiri, but it is now an issue for the Rugby Union Players’ Association (RUPA).
With speculation continuing over the reason for Tuqiri’s contract termination, RUPA on Wednesday announced they were launching an investigation into the reasons why the veteran winger was sacked.
RUPA Chief Executive Tony Dempsey said there was a feeling of fear and intimidation from a number of players who wanted clarification of the circumstances which led to Tuqiri’s contract being terminated.
Neither Mortlock or any of his team members confirmed there was a feeling of fear and intimidation among members of their group.
“I don’t think so,” prop Pek Cowan said.
“Everything is getting handled by the ARU and RUPA as it’s meant to be. That’s what we’ve been told and how it stands at the moment.”
Mortlock says it is important for the Wallabies to receive clarification over the issue of Tuqiri’s sacking.
“There has been a little bit of uncertainty and that’s what RUPA is seeking to do, as I think that is pretty much the mindset of most of the guys, just trying to get a bit more clarity and certainty on the issue,” he said.
With Australia’s opening Tri-Nations Test of the season just over a week away, Mortlock reiterated that was the team’s focus.
“From a playing group perspective with our coaching staff and management, we’re very happy with the way we are progressing and everything that is going here,” Mortlock said.
“Basically this a RUPA issue and RUPA are dealing with the ARU and that’s pretty much what’s going on.
“It’s really quite separate from what we’re focusing on, which is this Test match in a week and a bit’s time.”
An unnamed retired judge will head the RUPA investigation.
Tuqiri’s manager Les Ross on Wednesday released a statement confirming his client’s lawyer Mark O’Brien had commenced proceedings in the NSW Supreme Court against the Australian Rugby Union for breach of contract.
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LeftArmSpinner said | July 10th 2009 @ 10:27am | Report comment
they only have to worry if tghey behave badly!!!!! Simple. respect the Wallaby Jersey and the National team and all will be well.
frankly, I dont buy this one bit. the is dempsey trying to justify his position. lets get on a play some footy. every one knows that it is more sensible to move o ASAP if you get sacked. litigation is the last resort if at all!!!!! every day that goes by Lote is losing money and damaging his reputation qnd carefully crafted image!!!
LeftArmSpinner said | July 11th 2009 @ 8:42am | Report comment
Clarity, absolutely, just not on the selacious details of his misdemeanors. They just want to know how much money is released back into the player pool!!!!!
Hayden said | July 11th 2009 @ 10:25am | Report comment
At any stage, has Lote made any comments about being determined to fight his sacking in order to regain his place in the Tahs and Wallabies? Or is it just about the cutting off of the gravy train? I have a feeling he is more interested in the latter over the former. Speaks volumes.
Mike said | July 11th 2009 @ 8:11pm | Report comment
“they only have to worry if tghey behave badly!!!!! Simple. respect the Wallaby Jersey and the National team and all will be well.”
LAS, please at least give us comments that do not sound as though they were lifted from a Disney movie (or a Leni Riefenstahl movie for that matter…).
For the present, we have no idea whether or not Tuqiri failed to respect the Wallaby jersey. More to the point, it appears that the players’ association does not know either. If the ARU failed to keep them informed of impending actions, then the entire board and management need to go back to business management school and re-do the HR segment.
I don’t know whether the players have a “feeling of fear and intimidation” or not, but if they do it is a very serious matter. That sort of thing is likely to impact significantly on their ability to perform at the highest level. One thing that the ARU could do right now is publicly confirm that no player’s position (particularly the captaincy) is under threat simply because players speak their mind through proper channels. The last thing we need is a repeat of O’Neill’s foolish behaviour with Gregan – O’Neill and the ARU are just as liable to account for their behaviour as the players.