Australia have angrily denied Lote Tuqiri was sacked to avoid honouring the final years of his lucrative contract.

Tuqiri, who was contracted until 2012, was sacked for what is believed to be a breach of the players' code of conduct.

The 29-year-old dual international has not played a part in any of the Wallabies' four Tests in 2009, but n Rugby Union chief executive John O'Neill repeatedly refuted claims his sacking was a cost-cutting measure.

"That money wasn't part of our consideration," said O'Neill. "I have no comment to make other than his contract's been terminated for proper reasons.

"Clearly the decision to terminate a contract is one that requires a lot of consideration.

"We gave that consideration and reached the conclusion with our eyes wide open."

O'Neill, reading from a prepared statement, reinforced the Australian Rugby Union's (ARU) decision not to discuss the matter further citing the threat of legal action.

"In reference to our announcement last night, Lote Tuqiri's contract has been terminated," he said.

"We are not going in to the reasons for that termination. As we said in our statement, we will be making no further comment because the termination of his contract may lead to legal proceedings.

"I see in the newspapers this morning there is a threat of legal proceedings over the decision to terminate Lote's contract.

"You'll therefore understand that we are not in apposition to make any comment at all.

"Lote Tuqiri and his management are aware of the reasons for the termination if they want to discuss the situation with you we have no problem with that."

O'Neill was also forced to fend off suggestions he has a personal vendetta against the controversial winger, who re-signed with the ARU in 2007 under the watch of O'Neill's predecessor Gary Flowers.

O'Neill confirmed he had issued Tuqiri with a warning letter prior the World Cup after the winger failed to report to training after a night out, but would not confirm whether it constituted a final warning.

"It's in the public arena that back in mid-August '07 Lote was provided with a letter from me which indicated that due to a couple of offences at the time, he was on a warning that further breaches would not be tolerated," added O'Neill.

O'Neill reacted to suggestions he had an agenda against the Fijian-born flyer and would not confirm if one specific incident led to Tuqiri's downfall but did say it is not a police matter.

"That's ridiculous. That's completely untrue and anyone who suggests that should think again," he said.

It was also revealed that no other ARU contracted players are the subject of investigations.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans confirmed Tuqiri would have been a part of his future plans if available for selection.

"Lote was in the squad previously so if I'd been able to consider him he would have been considered but we can't," Deans said.

"Clearly he's been part of the squad he was part of the considerations up till this point."

end