Former captain of the Wallabies The Australian 27 April 2007

27 APRIL 2007.

John Stapleton

FORMER captain of the Wallabies John Eales told the NSW Supreme Court yesterday he had rung broadcaster Alan Jones to tell him accusations he had made against head of the Australian Olympic Committee John Coates following an incident with rower Sally Robbins during the 2004 Olympics were incorrect.

Mr Eales acted as a liaison officer for athletes during the Athens Olympics and was their chief adviser on how to deal with fallout following the famous incident when Sally Robbins ceased rowing in the final of the women's eight rowing. In the immediate aftermath of their shock defeat team members Julia Wilson and Kyeema Doyle were highly critical of Robbins.

Coates himself described Robbins actions as ``un-Australian''.

A jury has already found that Mr Coates was defamed after Mr Jones said leadership had been ``sadly lacking'', the incident had been handled incompetently and the rowers were bullied into saying what Coates wanted them to say. Current proceedings are to determine the extent of damages.

In the light of the furore which broke out in the Australian media, Mr Eales spoke to both Ms Robbins and members of the team about the best way to move forward on August 23, 2004, the day after the incident.

He told them the public and Mr Coates deserved an explanation as to what had happened.

``They were very uncomfortable about the circumstances and very uncomfortable about the pressure from the media,'' he said. ``They were scared of the situation and in a position they were not familiar with. They wanted help on a way to move forward.''

He said members of team wanted to be seen as a united group but wished Sally Robbins to give an explanation. ``They felt they needed that explanation,'' he said.

Mr Eales urged the women to front the press and speak from the heart, but denied telling them exactly what to say, nor had he heard Mr Coates telling the women what to say. He said Sally Robbins herself was ``very upset, scared in an environment she had never experienced before and had never expected to experience.''

Mr Eales told Justice Michael Adams he had ``the highest regard for Mr Coates personally and he he has a very high reputation amongst sporting people''. He said when he heard of Mr Jones' criticisms he rang him and told him his comments were not accurate. He said Mr Jones had not responded to his specific statements but had made some uncomplimentary comments the Olympic head.

Mr Coates, who spent several hours in the witness box yesterday, has denied bullying the women. However he did acknowledge his comments that Ms Robbins actions were ``un-Australian'' had been unprofessional and unhelpful.

The hearing continues.