Byline: Gavin Allen and Rebecca Lees
THE Wales rugby team are flying off 24 hours late and leaving a trail of big bills behind.
As confusion reigns over who will foot the bill for the latest Welsh rugby fiasco it has emerged that players might have to pay a share of additional costs estimated to be around pounds 150,000 after their threatened strike delayed their flight to New Zealand.
The whitewashed Six Nations team has been branded a laughing stock after yet another crisis ahead of its World Cup warm-up test series.
Players finally joined management members on a Heathrow-bound bus yesterday morning after former Wales captain Scott Quinnell met them for crisis talks in a motorway service station.
But it was too late, as the delay, combined with heavy motorway traffic, stopped them from reaching the airport in time. Despite the embarrassment, players appeared to be in a jovial mood after being put up in the costly Renaissance Hotel near Heathrow.
Some squad members were seen laughing and chatting in the hotel bar in the early hours of this morning, and they seemed in a good mood sitting down to breakfast after an early morning training session. Players ate breakfast in the bar, while members of the management team opted to eat in the restaurant.
Waiting media were told no comments would be made until a press conference due to take place late morning.
The fiasco leaves the already cash-strapped WRU with a bill easily running into six figures. As well as the cost of 38 unused Business Class tickets, believed to stand at pounds 1,200 each, the additional hotel costs will have to be met. Further expense will be added with this morning's press briefing in the conference room, where hire charges start at pounds 1,000.
The team are due to finally fly to Auckland later today, but the delay gives coach Steve Hansen one day less to prepare for the first clash against Australia in just under two weeks' time.
Hansen has admitted that confidence in the squad has reached rock bottom, but is still adamant the team is heading in the right direction.
``I think confidence-wise it can't get any lower,'' he said.
``But the guys are starting to believe in what they have to do and they know the wins will come if they put the performances in.''
'WHO'S GOING TO PAY?'
Student Hayley Law, 19, of Pentrebane, Cardiff: ``Who is going to be paying for all this? As long as it's not the taxpayer I don't care. But it's all a bit petty.''
Sales assistant Neil Deek, 23, from Ely, Cardiff: ``They've got no money so this is a waste of money. They don't deserve more pay the way they're playing.''
Terence Bishop, 63, of Canton, Cardiff: ``Bad management, I blame. When you get a job you ask how much you are going to be paid. I don't blame the players.''
Sociology of Sport lecturer Tim Lewis, 43, from Thornhill, Cardiff: ``Putting aside all the disunity the bottom line is we're years behind all the major nations.''
Warehouse worker Emilio Basiletti, 35, from Caerau, Cardiff: ``I think we're better off sticking with football. Leave rugby to England.''
CAPTION(S):
# CONFUSED Steve Hansen talks to waiting reporters yesterday. Left, Scott Quinnell had a key role in talks.
