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Greg Growden | August 25, 2009

LOTE TUQIRI cannot play for the fifth Australian Super franchise, but is able to head overseas or return to the NRL after the former Wallabies winger yesterday ended his court action against the Australian and NSW rugby unions.

After the ARU terminated Tuqiri’s contract due to an alleged breach of protocol resulting from an incident at the Wallabies team hotel in Canberra in June, the proceedings went to the Supreme Court. Tuqiri took action against the ARU and NSWRU alleging unfair dismissal, but all parties objected to details being released.

The ARU and Tuqiri met for mediation last Friday. ARU chief executive John O’Neill and the union’s legal team met Tuqiri and his legal representatives before a former judge to nut out a financial settlement and a confidentiality clause that prevents both parties divulging the reason for Tuqiri’s dismissal. Tuqiri then ended his action against the ARU and NSWRU.

O’Neill told the Herald last night that the ARU ”had reached a settlement with Lote which we believe is in the best interests of the game”.

”We’ve always been comfortable with our original decision involving Lote, but it is not in the best interest of rugby to see a dispute of this nature being dragged through the courts for the next 12 months,” O’Neill said. ”And this enables everyone to get on with their lives. The mediation in the end was an agreed position, and I understand he [Tuqiri] is happy with the outcome.”

After 67 Test appearances, Tuqiri’s professional rugby days in Australia are over. O’Neill said despite Tuqiri being linked to the fifth Australian franchise in an expanded Super 15 tournament from 2011, he would not be allowed to play for that team or any other Australian professional side. Tuqiri will be able to play rugby at club level as an amateur or overseas as a professional.

”The answer over whether Lote can play for the fifth Super Rugby team in Australia is no,” O’Neill said. ”Lote had a contract with the ARU and NSWRU which expired at the end of 2012. That contract has been terminated. Therefore in terms of the future, the standard contract for any Super rugby player in Australia requires the ARU to be a party to that contract. In the circumstances, we do not believe … there is a place for Lote in professional rugby in Australia.”

Several NRL clubs and overseas rugby sides have already been linked with the 29-year-old dual international.

Tuqiri could not be contacted last night but posted on Twitter: ”Great to have settled today! Happy with the outcome, now I can move on with my future. Thanks for your support tweeps! Where to play????”

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