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Monday, 8 July, 2002, 11:49 GMT 12:49 UK
Connors slams ARU
Connors (left) is set to be reunited with Foley (right)
New Bath signing Mark Connors has accused the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) of double standards as he tries to secure early release from his contract with Queensland Reds.
The 31-year-old loose-forward is set to join Bath on a two-year deal, where he will be coached by his former Reds and Wallaby team-mate Michael Foley. Connors is hoping to be in place at the Recreation Ground in time for the new Zurich Premiership season.
But the ARU are adamant that he must first fulfill his contractual obligations by playing in Brisbane club competitions until the end of September.
Connors has the permission of his club Brisbane Souths to leave but with a number of other Wallabies emigrating to Europe, the ARU is standing firm. "I'm amazed at the way the ARU is handling the whole thing, it smacks of double standards," said Connors. "As soon as I made it clear I had signed a two-year contract with Bath, the ARU said I would not be selected again for the Wallabies." Standing firm Connors, who has won 20 Test caps, could miss the first five rounds of the English season and is worried his Bath contract could be in jeopardy by his late arrival. "I feel very hard done by because I want to be established at Bath before the new Premiership season starts and I'm doing everything I can over here to make that possible," he said. "One of the conditions of the agreement I have with Bath Rugby is that I secure my release from my ARU contract and join the club in time for the start of the new season." Wallaby veterans Tim Horan and Jason Little were recently allowed to leave for Europe well before their Australian contracts had expired. But the ARU is now sticking to its guns to improve the strength of the Sydney and Brisbane club competitions by featuring the best available Super 12 players.
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06 Jul 02 | International
20 Jun 02 | English
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