Rugby: No excuses from Tuqiri after ban

Lote Tuqiri

The Wallabies are set to make at least one change to their side today to face South Africa in the Tri Nations test in Sydney at the weekend.

Winger Lote Tuqiri has been suspended for the remaining Tri Nations tests and fined 20 thousand dollars after sleeping through an alarm and missing a team medical and a recovery session following a night out on the town.

He was breath tested at 1.30pm on Monday afternoon at the request of team management because he looked "a bit shattered", and his reading of point zero 5 was above the team limit.

Tuqiri is making no excuses and says he did not read the diary properly.

Tuqiri has paid the price after receiving a two match suspended sentence following a punch-up with teammate Matt Henjak in Cape Town in 2005.

He does not think he has an alcohol problem but says he has time management problems to sort out.

He says he has let down the fans and supporters of the game and he is even a bit sheepish with his family about letting them down as well.

With Tuqiri unavailable, Mark Gerrard will take his place against the Springboks with Drew Mitchell coming onto the bench.

- NEWSTALK ZB