Lote Tuqiri has revealed his devastation at being dumped by the Australian Rugby Union.
Australian winger has lifted the lid on his sacking by the ARU
Two-time World Cup Wallaby Lote Tuqiri has revealed his devastation at being dumped by the Australian Rugby Union (ARU).
The 67-Test winger had previously been warned over contract breaches and had his five-year deal terminated by the board on Wednesday over a "standard employment matter".
Pending an appeal, the 29-year-old winger is now unlikely to fulfil his ambition to win the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand and he admits he is still in a state of shock.
"I didn't see it coming," Tuqiri told the Sunday Telegraph. "I don't know what my future holds. I've got the next week or so to work out what I want to do and where I'd like to go with my football career.
"My main goal was to get to the 2011 World Cup. It is very sad I won't get that chance. I've had a crack at two World Cups and the fact I can't rectify the way we went out leaves a bitter taste."
Reports suggest that Tuqiri may be forced to play overseas with his prohibitive price tag potentially blocking a return to Australia's National Rugby League.
Although some clubs initially sounded out an NRL return for the winger, who played 99 NRL games for the Brisbane Broncos and five rugby league Tests for Australia before he switched codes in 2003, they now say they cannot afford him.
