Australian Rugby Union (ARU) chairperson Peter McGrath said on Wednesday he was determined to clear his name following allegations he was drunk at an official function during the World Cup.
Speaking on his arrival in Sydney after the World Cup, McGrath said he would be ”defending his reputation vigorously”.
One of Australian rugby’s major sponsor complained in writing that McGrath was so affected by alcohol he could hardly speak at a function on the eve of Australia’s quarterfinal defeat by England in Marseille, France.
McGrath has stepped aside while the ARU conducts an investigation.
”I’d just like to say that it’s been a really difficult time and the focus should have been on the team and certainly not this,” McGrath told reporters at Sydney airport.
”The matter’s now with the [ARU] board. I’ve got complete confidence in the board and we’ll work through this this week.”
Meanwhile, the host of the lunch in question, television executive Doug Edwards, told the Australian newspaper that McGrath had not been drunk.
”It is ridiculous to allege he was inebriated,” Edwards told the newspaper. ”It wasn’t an issue — he was fine when he left.”
”The lunch went until 4.30 or 4.45pm before we went our separate ways. I can show you a number of emails from guests at the lunch saying that Peter was fine.” – Reuters