Rugby Australia takes no more action over Lukhan Tui incident

Rugby Australia has decided not to take any further action over an incident involving Lukhan Tui and a Wallabies fan but will review their security measures.

Rugby Australia will review their security procedures following an incident involving Wallabies forward Lukhan Tui and a fan but will take no further action over the matter.

RA says it has completed an investigation into the altercation between Tui and a spectator on Saturday night after two fans used “offensive language in criticising players” following the Wallabies’ loss to Argentina on the Gold Coast.

The incident occurred in the Wallabies’ reserves seating area at the bottom of the grandstand, where players were being greeted by family members after the match.

The spectator allegedly pushed Tui’s sister moments after Saturday night’s 23-19 defeat to Argentina.

The altercation added to an already emotional week for Tui’s family after his stepfather died suddenly on Wednesday.

The fan was detained by security and ejected from the venue by police following the incident.

“This incident was not something you want to see at any sporting event,” RA chief executive Raelene Castle said in a statement on Monday afternoon.

“Emotions were running high after the match on Saturday night and I understand why Wallabies fans are frustrated after a result like that.

“Two fans came into the area where players families were gathered and were arguing and using offensive language in criticising the players over their performance.

“One of Lukhan’s young family members was physically caught up in this exchange and this prompted the reaction from Lukhan.

“Wallabies team management have been in dialogue with Lukhan since the incident and he has indicated that he does not wish to pursue the matter any further and therefore no further action will be taken by Rugby Australia.”

RA management has been working with witnesses and the security company it employed at the event since the incident.

Castle said RA would review their security measures in light of the incident.

“The interaction between players and fans is an extremely important part of sport and we never want to see an incident like this again,” Castle said.

“We want rugby fans to be able to get up close and personal with their heroes and our Wallabies stars.

“We feel that this is an isolated incident and we haven’t experienced anything like this in our game in the past so we don’t want to race into any hasty measures.”

Tui played the full 80 minutes at blindside flanker but Wallabies coach Michael Cheika doesn’t expect the 21-year-old Queenslander to be available for their Rugby Championship matches in South Africa and Argentina.

Tui addressed the playing group after the match, telling them he needed to take time away from rugby.