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SYDNEY - Besieged Australian Rugby Union chairman Peter McGrath has returned home vowing to defend his reputation following a complaint from a sponsor about his behaviour at the Rugby World Cup.
McGrath was forced to step aside after Bundaberg Rum complained in writing to the ARU that the chairman was affected by alcohol after a lunch in Marseille on the eve of Australia's quarterfinal match against England.
Arriving in Sydney today, McGrath was only prepared to make a short statement.
"My family and I are deeply affected by these accusations and I will be defending my reputation vigorously," he told reporters before boarding a flight to Canberra.
"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.
"The matter's now with the (ARU) board. I've got complete confidence in the board and we'll work through this this week."
Asked how the allegation had affected him personally, he said: "It's just very public."
It is understood McGrath has been deeply distressed by the allegation but he said he didn't know how the complaint had been made public.
"I've really got no idea. No comments on that. I don't know," he said.
The complaint has already cost McGrath the chance of an International Rugby Board position, with a seat on the executive he had been expected to take up going to ARU president Paul McLean.
ARU chief executive John O'Neill said yesterday he expected the matter to be resolved in the next two weeks.
Former defence force chief Peter Cosgrove is acting in the chairman's role.
- AAP
