Rugby: The Autralian Rugby Union (ARU) has sacked veteran winger Lote Tuqiri, one of the country's highest-paid players.
The ARU gave no reason for the abrupt termination, but said in a terse statement released today that it was effective immediately.
The ARU said earlier this week it was investigating possible player misconduct after disciplining three Wallabies squad members, James O'Connor, Quade Cooper and Josh Valentine, for a food-fight at a team hotel while on tour last month.
"The employment contract of Lote Tuqiri has been terminated effective today," the ARU said.
"ARU has treated this issue as a standard employment matter. The ARU will not make any further comment on the matter as it may be the subject of legal proceedings," it added.
Tuqiri, who was contracted with the Australian Rugby Union until 2011, was named in a 29-man squad in May, but was overlooked for the Wallabies' internationals against the Barbarians, Italy and France last month.
His agent said he had engaged lawyers and would launch immediate action against the ARU.
"All I can tell is that Lote disputes that the ARU are entitled to terminate his contract and has retained solicitor Mr Mark O'Brien and Mr Tony Marr, senior counsel, to immediately commence proceedings against the ARU," agent Les Ross said.
An ARU official said the statement's reference to "legal proceedings" referred only to the possibility that Tuqiri might take the matter to court.
Tuqiri was handed an official warning by the ARU in 2007 and given a midnight curfew for the World Cup that year after going on an all-night drinking session with prop Matt Dunning following a Wallabies training camp.
Tuqiri, who has scored 30 tries for the Wallabies since his debut against Ireland in 2003, had a poor Super 14 season for the New South Wales Waratahs, scoring only two tries.
The one-time rugby league player has had to watch Drew Mitchell and Lachie Turner perform on the Australian wings, but coach Robbie Deans said earlier this week the 67-test veteran could still fight his way back into the side.
