REMEMBER WHEN

Gold Coast Bulletin, Thursday July 2, 2009

STAR winger Lote Tuqiri was set for a battle with the Australian Rugby Union after his $5 million contract was stunningly torn up.

Tuqiri, the highest-paid player in rugby, weighed up a future in the NRL or overseas rugby after the ARU announced it had canned his lucrative deal over an undisclosed disciplinary breach.

Tuqiri was on his final warning after getting into alcohol-related strife on three separate occasions between 2005 and 2007.

His latest misdemeanour was unknown but Tuqiri engaged solicitors Mark O’Brien and Tony Marr to fight the ARU’s move in court.

Wife Rebekkah Tuqiri said: “It’s a contractual dispute, that’s all I can say at the moment.”

The ARU refused to spell out why Tuqiri had been sacked, but the 67-Test star had already fallen out of favour with coach Robbie Deans and was overlooked for four Wallabies games this winter.

In a statement, the ARU said: “The employment contract of Lote Tuqiri has been terminated effective today. ARU has treated this issue as a standard employment matter.”

It was understood Tuqiri had told friends he was not facing serious trouble.

He was spotted going into the Melbourne Casino at 1am with several Wallabies teammates ahead of the second Test against Italy.

Tuqiri’s agent, Les Ross, said the impending legal action meant no details could be revealed: “Lote disputes the ARU are entitled to terminate his contract and has (lawyers) to immediately commence proceedings against the ARU,” Mr Ross said.