Umaga manager alleges Wallaby drug-taking

A court case involving All Black captain Tana Umaga's manager will allege drug-taking involving a Wallaby player.

The Australian Rugby Union has issued a statement that they investigated allegations about a Wallaby, drugs and a Christmas party last December but found no breach.

The function was hosted by Athlete Management International (AMI), a Sydney sports management company. Umaga's agent Rob Brady and Terry Daly, who both then worked for AMI, alleged events at the party forced an end to their association with the company.

Those allegations reached the ARU, who held an inquiry but did not uphold any breaches.

However Brady confirmed papers had been filed with the Employment Court in Wellington relating to Greg Keenan of AMI and an alleged breach of their working relationship.

"We had no alternative. This is an employment issue," Brady said in a statement. "We couldn't continue with AMI and condone what had happened."

Brady said none of their present or past New Zealand sports stars attended or were involved in any of the Christmas party allegations.

Tim Castle, a lawyer acting for the two New Zealand-based sports agents, said details about the allegations had been filed with the Employment Court as evidence of a breach of their employment conditions.

ARU chief executive Gary Flowers confirmed his high performance unit had conducted their own investigation into the complaints.

"And that involved speaking to the player concerned, looking at a range of things, but looking at a particular outcome of drug tests (for that player). And then the detail of the information was looked at, and as a result there was no evidence and they were regarded as unsubstantiated allegations."

Since their split from AMI, Brady and Daly have started Sixfoot2 Sports Management Limited and Keenan continues to run AMI from Sydney.

Recent Wallabies listed as part of the AMI stable are Wendell Sailor, Matt Giteau, Stephen Larkham, Stephen Mortlock, David Lyons, Matt Henjak, Chris Latham, Drew Mitchell and Nic Henderson. All Black hooker Keven Mealamu was also contracted, but the Herald understands that has ended.

* Northland are chasing former Springbok prop Balie Swart to coach their side in next year's expanded NPC competition.