Wallabies flanker Lukhan Tui announces he is quitting rugby after ugly altercation

Alex Broun 20:41 15/09/2018
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  • Lukhan Tui confronting the fan

    Wallabies coach Michael Cheika probably thought things could not get worse after his side slumped to their first home loss to Argentina in 35 years.

    But that was not the case as flanker Lukhan Tui announced he was immediately stepping away from rugby after an ugly post match altercation with a fan.

    Cheika said the incident occurred when Tui’s young sister was pushed by the supporter, enraged by the Wallabies sock 23-19 loss on Saturday night, near the tunnel at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast.

    Tui had already suffered emotional turmoil during the week after his stepfather died suddenly on Wednesday. The Wallabies were wearing black armbands in his honour.

    The Wallabies boss said the 21-year-old told the playing group after the match, that he needed to take time away from rugby and would cut his 2018 season short.

    “So I hope the fan’s happy,” Cheika said.

    “That’s a pretty heavy thing to happen, he’s just said it in the dressing room to the players now… he’s not going to be playing anymore because of that incident.

    “It’s one thing being upset with a team… (but) what went down there was the supporter pushed Lukhan’s sister.

    “Lukhan didn’t like that, and that’s fair enough.

    “Obviously that family’s had a very big week and I don’t think that’s appropriate that that happened.

    “I know the guy probably doesn’t know it’s Lukhan’s sister but still, you shouldn’t be pushing a kid in the crowd anyway.”

    Rugby Australia have begun investigating the incident and are seeking CCTV vision from inside the stadium.

    They will await reports from venue security before determining what course of action to take.

    Broadcast footage showed the fan hurling abuse at players before the push and shove with Tui unfolded.

    The fan was later led away and detained by security guards, along with another offending fan.

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