Launch features nifty sidesteps

By CHRIS BARCLAY

A handshake and a stilted three-minute conversation.

It was hardly a public show of affection but Australian Rugby Union managing director John O'Neill and Wallabies captain George Gregan made all the right moves as the rugby World Cup bandwagon hit the road yesterday.

Their frosty relationship thawed under the public's gaze as the ARU launched its Olympic-style travelling roadshow.

O'Neill has been accused of wanting Gregan to relinquish his captaincy due to the halfback's leading role in a players' pay dispute with the ARU, but the pair and Wallabies first five-eighth Stephen Larkham chatted amicably before the promotional tour kicked off with a harbourside function.

Neither O'Neill nor Gregan were willing to discuss their fractured relationship as the cameras hovered, but O'Neill alluded to the issue which threatens to destabilise the Wallabies' world title defence.

"This is our equivalent of the [Olympic] torch relay," O'Neill said.

"There was controversy before the Olympics but that disappeared once the relay started. We have the same hope with this roadshow."

Gregan's role with the Rugby Union Players' Association, which is pushing for a $A300,000 ($344,000) bonus per player if they retain the World Cup, has irked O'Neill.

The Wallabies are also unhappy with the tournament's participation agreement and have taken the ARU to the New South Wales Supreme Court, where the case continues on Monday.

Gregan then drifted further from O'Neill when it was revealed he stayed away from the team hotel on the eve of last month's test loss to England.

He was reprimanded by the ARU and criticised by a host of former players when he chose to stay with his wife instead of in team lodgings.

Adding to the controversy, O'Neill was accused of leaking the hotel-hopping story to the media, although he strenuously denied this.

Pressure on Gregan intensified yesterday with the Brumbies pressing him to make a decision on his playing future before the World Cup in October and November.

Gregan has repeatedly said he would not decide his future until the tournament ended on November 22 and he was not altering that stance yesterday.

The Brumbies want to know by September whether he will lead them into next year's Super 12 series.

"We have encouraged George to come to a conclusion sooner for his own sake," Brumbies chief executive Rob Clarke said.

"George has been a wonderful contributor to the Brumbies and will be welcomed with open arms if he decides to stay.

"It would be nice to have an answer by September."

O'Neill also welcomed the decision of the Springboks to sign the "significantly revised and improved" participation agreement describing it as a "victory for common sense".

The South Africans are the first players from a major nation to sign the agreement.

The Australian players will not see the new agreements until after their court case.

Rupa chief executive Tony Dempsey said the Springboks' decision would not influence the Australian players.

Meanwhile, the interactive True Colours roadshow will visit 50 communities during a 20,000km journey across Australia.

Rugby jerseys from clubs and schools will be collected en route and will feature in the opening ceremony at Sydney's Telstra Stadium on October 10.

- NZPA