Barb that triggered Wallaby’s fan clash

“YOU need to play with more heart” was the barb that triggered the ugly argy-bargy between an irate fan and Wallaby Lukhan Tui as he dealt with an emotional family tragedy on Saturday.

The supporter’s gruff shout from the aisles behind the fence was too much for the giant forward just after full-time in the tough loss to Argentina on the Gold Coast.

Heart? Tui’s was broken last week by the sudden death of his stepfather and he had headed to the corner of Cbus Super Stadium where quiet tears were being shed by his family. Tui, 21, later told teammates in the dressingroom that he would be pulling out of rugby for the rest of the year.

Coach Michael Cheika yesterday said it was unlikely Tui would tour South Africa for the Test in Port Elizabeth on Saturday week, although he would talk to him further about a return. The frustrated, finger-pointing fan had had a verbal crack at young winger Jack Maddocks before pushing through the Tui family group and bumping Tui’s sister.

“Lukhan told me he was playing the Test because it was something his dad would have wanted, so he was all heart,” Wallaby Samu Kerevi said.

The Wallabies wore black armbands as a show of respect on the field. Kerevi tried to calm Tui, who was close to tears himself, and keep him apart from the fan who continued to mouth off.

“Lukhan’s whole family was crying and people were comforting each other in the seats before this guy came through the middle of them,” Kerevi said.