Aussie Rugby Union accused of favouritism — by their own teams

A BATTLE is looming in Australian rugby with the governing body being accused of favouring the New South Wales Waratahs over the other Australian Super 14 teams — the Reds, Brumbies and Western Force.

The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) has helped the Waratahs win the signatures of two prominent players in the past week with star Wallabies winger Lote Tuqiri committing to another four years with the club and Tuesday’s coup signing of rugby league international Timana Tahu on a four-year deal.

But Brumbies chief executive Andrew Fagan and coach Laurie Fisher say the ARU are favouring the Waratahs and called upon the governing body to reset the scales by helping out the other three teams.

“I don’t think we have a level playing field at the moment,” Fisher said.

At the same time the Brumbies are struggling to keep Wallabies wingers Mark Gerrard and Clyde Rathbone after ARU said they must take a pay cut if they want to be retained.

“The timing isn’t good when you’re asking proven Wallabies to take a haircut (pay cut),” Fagan said.