LOTE Sacked

[eddo]

If I was Lote,.. and I had been left out of the side for one .. two .. three weeks straight.
Let's say I was in melbourne... away from most of the Sydney people that recognise him immediately.
I'd be going on a hell-raising bender to drown my sorrows.

It must be embarrasing to be one of the top paid guys and not cut the mustard. He has his whole career/respectability riding on the fact he makes the wallabies, .. and he realises he won't be getting a run for the rest of the year,.. Thats a reason to drink, and drink hard.

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Drugs have been kinda ruled out but I reckon the ARU would terminate based on eyewitness accounts and not bother with waiting for B samples etc.
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Feeling up a teenager.. why not? She would've been keen for it. Guaranteed.
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This could also be something far less controversial... A loose slip of the tongue (no reference to the previous point). I can imagine Lote is pissed about the selections and may have said something that the coaches felt he couldn't take back. Dissent to robbie as he found out he wasn't part of the 3N squad? I think this could be quite likely. ..

 

[Spook]

Didn't someone say the police were involved? If they are, it's more than just a case of Lote getting pissed again.

 

[eddo]

Not sure the police involvement was verified..

Meanwhile, the Fairfax crew didn't waste anytime erasing the memory of Tuqiri from the waratahs backline..

"Even though only 23, Barnes is one of only a few leaders in a young player group. Barnes's playing abilities would be better served at the Waratahs, as they boast a far more formidable pack, while he would have beside him in the back line the Test halfback Luke Burgess and fellow Wallabies Lachie Turner, Drew Mitchell and Timana Tahu."

http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/news/berrick-sees-red-not-blue/2009/07/01/1246127580177.html


Oooh, It burns.

 

[Harfish]

Its not out of the question that this is the reason, but if so, why hasnt Lote come out and said something to defend himself? eg yes I breached player protocols but I havent done anything more serious than that and bla bla bla...

Surely his lawyers can word a statement which protects his reputation without jeopardising any legal proceedings.

Law school drop out here but in these sort of situation it's best for Lote to say absolutely nothing about what he may or may not have done. Saying he breached player protocols in a minor way, missed curfew for example, would be an admission of guilt and would severely damage his case.

Given that both parties seem to have gone to ground here and absolutely nobody is talking, including my excellent source inside the Waratahs, the theory that it's something minor and was the straw that broke the camel's back seems to be the best one right now.

 

[fatprop]

Well I never saw that coming.

The thing that disappoints me about these matters is what is the underlying issue.

Is it really Lote's misdemeanour's?

or is it the money with JON "managing costs" of someone no longer required.


I just wonder that if Lote was still first choice and playing very well, would he still have been sacked.


But we don't know what the crime was yet, that should answer a few questions.

 

[RugbyReg]

I agree fp. Its really starting to 'burn' in me, the thought that it was a way to cut and run, money-wise.

 

[jason]

Noddy, Fatprop, couldn't agree more. I'm definitely not Lote's biggest fan, but the way he's been given the flick seems pretty gutless (assuming it wasn't a very serious or criminal matter). Obviously the ARU has to function as a business, but to select him in the wallaby squad, not give him any game time, leave him languishing in Club Rugby and then cut him loose the day after the league contract deadline is pretty bloody ruthless.

 

[fatprop]

Yeah, he is gone, fighting his termination comes down to compensation for the guy, as there is no going back when this shit happens.

But the next time someone talks about loyalty to a club/province/country/business the loyalty has to go both ways and it generally doesn't.

 

[Newb]

.... but to select him in the wallaby squad, not give him any game time, leave him languishing in Club Rugby and then cut him loose the day after the league contract deadline is pretty bloody ruthless.

has JON greasy fingerprints all over it. what a cunning bastard...

... assuming lack of legal wrongdoing..... :nono olice:

 

[Gagger]

I feel for Lote as a human - that's one kick in the nads he's just had.

However,

If you ramp up the negotiations enough and walk away with (was it $6m?) the "Steve Austin" package, then you've well and truly put your head above the parapet and you're dancing with the devil. You're now one of the biggest outgoings on the books and it only takes a slump in form and/or tightening of belts and KABLAM

LET ALONE various misdemeanors that get you to a formal warning.

With the higher reward should come the higher risk.

Having said all that - isn't it quite possible that he'll earn more in France?

 

[rugbywhisperer]

Ok lets look at this -
1: police investigation - seems rather more serious that a night on the tiles or at the casino.
2: nothing specific has been said other than 'contractual'. This says to me we have something serious and we are keeping our powder dry - if he denies anything or fights we will release it - otherwise, go quietly amid the noise and haste.

While I think he has been a first class goose during his stay, he has brought some quelque chose de spécial to our game.
I am sure we will all miss him for very different reasons.

 

[RugbyReg]

What's the league contract thing?

 

[Lindommer]

Who targetted the mungoes? JON. Who ramped up salaries? JON. Who obliterated the only competition that was bringing through young talent? JON.

The scrapping of the ARC was a board decision. That's from the horse's mouth.

 

[Gagger]

Ok lets look at this -
1: police investigation - seems rather more serious that a night on the tiles or at the casino.

Woah - where's the police investigation report come from??

 

[formeropenside]

Basically, what Gagger said. When you are as high profile as LT, you will be watched extra closely. With great money comes great responsibility. He was on a warning, and still thought he could play up.

At the moment too, it shows a contrast between what is tolerated in league and union, which is also important. It sends a real message.

I don't think LT will go back to the salary capped NRL: its Japan or France for him, or maybe an English club.

This is one of those occasions where he should now be free (and encouraged) to turn out for Fiji RFU.

 

[Cutter]

I agree. I reckon there is more to it. Time will tell.

 

[rugbywhisperer]

Ok lets look at this -
1: police investigation - seems rather more serious that a night on the tiles or at the casino.

Woah - where's the police investigation report come from??

Apologies - police investigation of an incident - not necessarily to do with LT.

 

[rugbywhisperer]

My bet is that his legal team will dip a toe in the water, feel for sharp edges and then go away very quietly into the night.
Then in a few months it will be Bonjour M. Tuquiri. Comment vous aimer vos oeufs aujourd'hui ? $$$$$$$$$$
Bonjour M. Gasnier, Sonny Bill, Craig etc. Comment sont vous tous aujourd'hui ?

 

[rugbywhisperer]

I will also be very interested to see how long it takes for him to resurface elsewhere. I, being a deeply suspicious person, would not think it inconceivable that all this broo ha ha is the result of LT actually putting things in place so other things might happen.
Wingers can be very cunning creatures at times.

 

[Scotty]

I wonder if any other player involvement in this will come out in the wash?

Surely he wasn't there by himself.......