Disgraced Wallabies rugby halfback Matt Henjak and teammate Lote Tuqiri had to be separated after a scuffle between the two at a Cape Town nightclub, television reports suggested tonight.
Channel Nine quoted sources saying Tuqiri was the person hit by ice thrown from Henjak's glass.
Tuqiri then grabbed Henjak by
the throat before the pair were separated early last Thursday.
Henjak, 23, headed home today after being ejected from the touring party. Although not in the test team that played South Africa two days after the incident, he has borne the brunt of team management action.
Star wingers Tuqiri and Wendell Sailor were fined $A500 ($NZ563) each and had two test match bans suspended. The trio were in the nightclub until 4am, while prop Matt Dunning, who left earlier, was fined $A500.
Henjak was adamant today that no one had been hit by the ice when he tossed it from his drink.
A statement by team manager Phil Thomson said the disciplinary committee found that there was "no altercation involving Wallaby players and members of the public".
Former test player Simon Poidevin told Nine he was disgusted any players would be out so late two nights before a rugby test.
"I might be old school, but if I had been manager of that side I don't think Matt would be coming home alone."
He also suggested fines should be up around the $A10,000 mark, the payment players receive per test.
- NZPA
