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Australian rugby boss stands down

Australian Rugby Union (ARU) chairman Peter McGrath will stand down from his position while a complaint about his behavior is investigated, the ARU said yesterday.

Their statement did not detail the allegations but a media report said a Wallabies sponsor complained that McGrath was intoxicated at a function on the eve of Australia's World Cup loss to England.

The statement said McGrath had offered to stand aside for the investigation and that his deputy Peter Cosgrove would take over in the interim

"This matter will be dealt with expeditiously and transparently by the ARU board," Cosgrove said.

The Australian daily said Wallabies sponsor Bundaberg Rum complained about McGrath's condition when he met sponsors' representatives after a long lunch in Marseille the night before Australia's quarter-final loss.

The newspaper said McGrath did not act inappropriately but had trouble speaking.

McGrath told the Australian he was shocked and distressed about the complaint but denied he was out of control or acted inappropriately.

"I don't deny I had a few drinks," he told the newspaper. "We all have a few drinks every now and then but I'm shocked that it's been perceived in this way."

"In 20 years of playing rugby union and rugby league and then for a further 12 years on the boards of the Brumbies and the ARU, never once has my conduct been called into question because of alcohol," he said.

McGrath was appointed ARU chairman in April and was believed to have been instrumental in luring John O'Neill to return as ARU chief executive.

The newspaper said O'Neill's strong stance against drinking transgressions by players such as Lote Tuqiri meant McGrath was almost certain to be sacked to send a message that the same standards applied to officials.
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