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BRISBANE - Two Wallabies players were today questioned by police over the bashing of a man in Brisbane, but rugby union authorities said neither was involved in the assault.
Two players, understood to be winger Lote Tuqiri and prop Matt Dunning, were questioned by police after a 52-year-old taxi driver was attacked outside a hotel early this morning.
A group of men, including players from the national team, was at the front of the Sofitel Hotel in Brisbane's CBD about 5.30am (AEST) when a taxi driver pulled up, the Seven Network reported.
Seven reported the driver was king-hit, fell on his head and was taken to hospital.
A Queensland police media spokesman said the taxi driver was in a stable condition with a fractured skull.
The Australian Rugby Union said in a written statement it had been made aware of a "serious assault" on a Brisbane taxi driver.
"The ARU understands that no Wallaby players were involved in or witnessed the assault overnight, which is now the subject of a police investigation," the statement said.
Wallabies coach John Connolly would not confirm the players' identities but said there was no issue with their behaviour.
"These guys were in their own time, it's their private time and they've been cleared of any incident," Connolly told AAP.
"They've done nothing wrong, they've just had six days in camp, they've got five days break.
"Obviously putting themselves in the position sometimes is dangerous but you can say that these guys didn't put themselves in that position.
"They went home, their behaviour was first class and if something happens an hour after, they weren't anywhere near it."
Fox Sports News quoted an ARU source as saying the two players questioned were prop Matt Dunning and winger Lote Tuqiri.
The two players had been at a nightclub with Broncos league fullback Karmichael Hunt, the source said.
They had left a nightclub with two other unnamed people - who were not associated with the Wallabies squad - and went to the Sofitel where the Wallabies were staying.
They went up to Dunning's room and stayed there for some time.
The two unnamed associates went downstairs and it was then the incident allegedly took place. Meanwhile the Wallabies stayed upstairs in the room, the source told Fox Sports News.
A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman said a 55-year-old taxi driver was taken from the hotel to Royal Brisbane Hospital just after 6am (AEST).
An area just outside the hotel's main door, which has a security camera, was cordoned off today with police tape.
Police forensic officers were investigating.
The Wallabies have just completed a boot camp at North Stradbroke Island and at the Border Ranges, near Beaudesert south-west of Brisbane, ahead of the Rugby World Cup, which starts in September.
The boot camp, involving 27 players, ended late yesterday.
Six of the players -- one from Canberra and five from Brisbane - left the camp early yesterday because they had playing commitments.
- AAP
