News

Deans backs Tuqiri sacking

July 07 2009

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has fully endorsed the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) for sacking winger Lote Tuqiri.

Tuqiri, who had not been selected for any of the Wallabies' Tests against Italy and France, had his ARU contract terminated last week after breaching team protocol in a hotel-related incident.

"I want to make clear that I was consulted during the process and I completely support the ARU's decision," Deans told the Sydney Morning Herald.

"I also fully support [ARU chief] John O'Neill's leadership on this issue.

"Obviously, I am unable to discuss Lote's actual termination but I have been concerned by how some have seized on this issue and may have attempted to use this to their advantage."

Meanwhile, Australia captain Stirling Mortlock says the Wallabies feel for Tuqiri and have made contact with him, but are now focusing on their opening Tri-Nations Test against New Zealand.

Veteran centre Mortlock spoke on behalf of the group after Tuqiri's dismissal was discussed at a team meeting on Tuesday.

"The unfortunate thing for us is that no one in the group actually knows what has happened and secondly, legally we can't make comment anyway," Mortlock told the media in Sydney.

"A lot of us have been with Lote for a long time, we're all very close with him, good mates, and you feel for him going through this and his family.

"The reality of it is that it's pretty much all we can say.

"In 11 days from now we are playing a significant Test match and the whole group wants to focus wholly on that and move towards that."

While Mortlock didn't want his team-mates or himself to answer further questions about Tuqiri, he confirmed they had been in contact with the veteran winger.

"A lot of the guys have had contact with Lote and I guess the most important thing for us is that Lote knows all the guys have been in contact with him," Mortlock added.

In his newspaper column on Sunday, Tuqiri said he was 'still in a state of shock' after receiving a call from the ARU last Monday.

"My world was turned upside down," Tuqiri wrote.

"And I didn't see it coming."

He said that due to "legal issues" he could not comment on the specific reasons why he was sacked.

"I haven't shed any tears but I don't think what's happened has really sunk in yet. I don't know what my future holds," Tuqiri said.

"What I can say is that I am devastated."