Wallabies star Lukhan Tui to miss remainder of season to care for grieving family
THE Wallabies’ backrow will be missing Lukhan Tui for the remainder of the season, with the forward enforcer putting the welfare of his family first after the tragic death of his stepfather.
GRIEVING Wallabies backrower Lukhan Tui is adamant he will sit the rest of the year out from rugby.
After the death of his stepfather, and being involved in a physical altercation with a spectator after last weekend’s defeat to Argentina on the Gold Coast, Tui told teammates he would take a break from the game for the remainder of 2018.
It was hoped his comments were made in the heat of the moment and Tui would change his mind after returning home.
But in recent days, Tui has told friends and family members that he needs to take extended time away from rugby, as he deals with the passing of his stepfather, who died days before the Argentina match.
He wants to comfort his mother and younger siblings, with the family preparing for the funeral this week.
With the Wallabies playing all of their remaining six Test matches of 2018 abroad, Tui is putting the welfare of his family first and wants to be by their side.
Tui’s stance may well change in coming weeks, with time away potentially allowing him to regain his desire to play by November’s spring tour.
But right now, the enforcer has no plans to pull on the boots.
Tui become involved in a heated push and shove exchange with a Wallabies fan who began abusing him and fellow Wallabies players after their 23-19 loss at Cbus Super Stadium last Saturday.
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The spectator knocked over Tui’s younger sister in the fracas, before the blindside flanker had to be separated from the man, who’d told Tui he should have played with more heart.
Rugby Australia conducted an investigation into the incident. Tui said he did not wish to pursue the matter further.
The governing body will now review security measures around players engaging with fans after games.
Tui, who celebrated his 22nd birthday on Wednesday, is now head of his household after the passing of his stepfather.
That is a huge responsibility for the young man, and he must process that as well as his grief while trying to carry his family through this painful time.
Contracted Australian players are given three days of compassionate leave each year, although Tui’s case is unique and it’s likely he’d negotiate a more empathetic agreement with RA and Queensland Rugby Union should he remain sidelined for the rest of the season.
It’s expected that Melbourne Rebels backrower Angus Cottrell will be called into the Wallabies’ touring squad for South Africa and Argentina to fill the void left by Tui.
The squad departs for South Africa on Saturday.
Pete Samu is also under an injury cloud.
The likely scenario is that captain Michael Hooper will return from injury to line up at openside flanker against the Springboks in Port Elizabeth, with David Pocock reverting back to No.8.
If Samu is ruled out, Ned Hanigan would be the likely starting blindside flanker, with Caleb Timu or Cottrell to come off the bench.
The Wallabies have sunk to seventh in the world rankings, their lowest position.
In their tough assignments ahead, they’ll take on the Boks, Pumas, the All Blacks in Tokyo, and then Wales, Italy and England on the spring tour.
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Originally published as Wallabies star Lukhan Tui to miss remainder of season to care for grieving family