Tuqiri declines to take ARU invitation

Lote Tuqiri and his representatives have declined to take up an invitation from Australia Rugby boss John O'Neill, to make public details of the incident which resulted in the Wallaby winger's contract being torn up.

O'Neill refused to disclose the reason for Tuqiri's sacking at a tense media conference yesterday, at which he said it was up to Tuqiri or his management to reveal what had happened.

Bailed up by reporters at the front of his Sydney home, Tuqiri refused to shed any light on what had led to his sacking.

The winger said it's a legal matter and it's with his lawyers.

Meanwhile, Wallabies Coach Robbie Deans denies Tuqiri's non-selection for Australia's first four internationals this year had been designed to phase the 29yr-old out.