Rumours emanating from Australia are that Lote Tuqiri is feeling disgruntled at the apparent double standards displayed in the treatment of himself and Wallaby team-mate Matt Giteau.
Tuqiri has been banned for two matches and will lose A$43,000 (including match fees) after being found guilty of missing practice because of a boozing session on Sunday night. Wallaby team-mate Matt Giteau passed out in a nightclub on the same night and has escaped any punishment.
Bok captain Bob Skinstad was asked for his opinion on the matter by the Australian media.
“I don’t know the ins and outs but I’m sure the guys partied long and hard after beating the All Blacks,†said Skinstad.
“If they’ve done the same thing and been treated differently then that’s interesting. It seems that Lote is a bit disgruntled by his treatment in the team but I don’t think it’s something that we need to use as fodder for our guys.
“They’re both international class rugby players and nobody wants the best players in the world not to be playing but I do think it would have been treated differently in our country.
“In Australia, because of the competing sports, sensationalism is going to catapult you to the front pages regardless of what code you’re playing,†said Skinstad.
Ag Lote’s just PO’d because Giteau is more important to the Oz team than him. The ARU has done another hush job.