Last Updated: Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:51
Australia have made the shock decision to terminate the contract of Lote Tuqiri, who was one of their highest paid players.
The Australia Rugby Union confirmed the move on Wednesday evening their time after conducting an investigation into a possible breach of the players' code of conduct. However the circumstances behind the sacking of Tuqiri, who was contracted to the ARU until 2012, were unclear.
"The employment contract of Lote Tuqiri has been terminated effective today," an ARU statement read.
"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."