Lote Tuqiri's dispute with the Australian Rugby Union, which sacked him for undisclosed reasons last week, is heading to the Supreme Court.

In a short statement last night Tuqiri's Manager Les Ross said the player's lawyer, Mark O'Brien, had commenced proceedings in the Supreme Court against the Australian Rugby Union for breach of contract.

This development came shortly after the ARU defended its stance in not revealing why it sacked Tuqiri after complaints from the players' union that the Wallabies were feeling intimidated and fearful.

The Rugby Players Association announced yesterday that it would investigate the conduct of the ARU and the NSW Rugby Union over Tuqiri's sacking.

RUPA Chief Executive Tony Dempsey said several senior Wallabies were concerned by Tuqiri's departure and wanted to know specifically why the ARU terminated his contract by last week.