Rugby Australia has decided to take no further action following the incident involving Wallabies flanker Lukhan Tui and a fan after Saturday night’s clash with Argentina at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast.
Management has been working with witnesses and the security company it employed at the event since the incident on Saturday night, which occurred at the Wallabies’ reserves seating at the bottom of the grandstand where players were being greeted by family members after the match.
The fan was detained by security and ejected from the venue by Police following the incident, during which Tui reacted to his young sister being physically impacted during the exchange involving the fan and another Wallabies fan.
Rugby Australia Chief Executive Raelene Castle said: “This incident was not something you want to see at any sporting event.
SHOCKING.
— Sports Sunday (@SportsSunday) September 16, 2018
An altercation between Lukhan Tui and a fan. #9SportsSunday pic.twitter.com/54QafwWDNn
“Emotions were running high after the match on Saturday night and I understand why Wallabies fans are frustrated after a result like that.
“Two fans came into the area where players families were gathered and were arguing and using offensive language in criticising the players over their performance. One of Lukhan’s young family members was physically caught up in this exchange and this prompted the reaction from Lukhan.
“Wallabies team management have been in dialogue with Lukhan since the incident and he has indicated that he does not wish to pursue the matter any further and therefore no further action will be taken by Rugby Australia.”
Castle said Rugby Australia will review security measures in light of the incident.
Emotions were running high in the stands
“The interaction between players and fans is an extremely important part of sport and we never want to see an incident like this again. We want Rugby fans to be able to get up close and personal with their heroes and our Wallabies stars.
“We feel that this is an isolated incident and we haven’t experienced anything like this in our game in the past, so we don’t want to race into any hasty measures,” said Castle.
After the incident Tui reportedly told team-mates that he would immediately be stepping away from rugby and would not be touring with the Wallabies to South Africa and Argentina for their remaining Rugby Championship fixtures.
No clarification on whether Tui has rescinded this statement has yet been made.
