Tuqiri punished by Wallabies

Australia winger Lote Tuqiri will not play for the remainder of the Tri-Nations series after being suspended and fined for missing a recovery session following a late night out.

The dual international has been stood down for Tests against South Africa and New Zealand and fined $20,000 Australian (€12,600) for failing to show up for the session and being found to be over the team’s alcohol limit when breathalysed on Monday.

The Fijian-born star said: “Missing out on being selected is massive. I understand where they (the disciplinary committee) are sort of coming from and everything else; the fact that I did miss that session, I just didn’t know it was on and I just thought something else was on, and it was missed.”

Tuqiri played a major role in Australia’s shock 20-15 win over New Zealand in last Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup encounter in Melbourne.

Brumbies winger Mark Gerrard will replace him in Saturday’s Test against South Africa in Sydney.