You are in > manchester.com  > News > Tuqiri banned until World Cup

Rugby Union

Tuqiri banned until World Cup

03/07/2007

Australia winger Lote Tuqiri will not be allowed to play again until the rugby World Cup begins in September after he received a fine and a ban for breaching the team's alcohol policy.

The 27-year-old failed to attend a team recovery meeting following the narrow win over New Zealand at the weekend and was found to be over the alcohol limit imposed by team officials, meaning he will be unavailable for selection for the next two matches.

Tuqiri will miss Saturday's Tri-Nations match against South Africa and the return match in the Bledsoe Cup against the All Blacks on July 21st.

He has also been fined A$20,000 (£8,600).

The veteran, who switched codes to play rugby union for the Wallabies, has a history of problems with alcohol and received a suspended two-match ban in 2005 for a similar indiscretion.

However, this time around, there was no escaping the punishment according to Australian Rugby Union chief executive John O'Neill.

"The agreement that no off-field indiscretions were to occur for two years has been broken and there is no alternative but to impose a two-match suspension beginning with this Saturday's test," O'Neill told Reuters.

Australia's 20-15 victory over their bitter rivals New Zealand last Saturday has given hope to the rest of the world's rugby-playing nations.

The All Blacks had seemed virtually unbeatable in recent Tests but Australia's win – the first over their neighbours since August 2004 – opens the door for some northern hemisphere teams to believe they can challenge the New Zealanders' dominance.

© Adfero Ltd