Australian Rugby Union cover with bosses John O’Neill says the termination of doom winger Lote Tuqiri’s contract is not due to any police matter.
Tuqiri was cut from his lucrative deal on Wednesday but the ARU has refused to disclose the reasons.
O’Neill fronted the media forward Thursday but stay tightlipped, citing legal reasons. He read a brief statement before taking questions.
"Clearly the decision to terminate a contract is one that requires a lot of consideration. We gave that reason and reached the conclusion with our eyes wide single-minded," O’Neill said.
O’Neill confirmed the police were not involved and said he had consulted with Tuqiri’s Super 14 club the NSW Waratahs and they had agreed with the decision.
O’Neill confirmed he had warned Tuqiri in an August 2007 letter that farther on breaches of the players digest of conduct would not subsist tolerated.
He described suggestions he had a personal agenda against Tuqiri as "ridiculous" and said the winger’s massive salary was not a consideration.
AAP
