Tune escaped a ban on Monday when an Australian Rugby Union (ARU) tribunal ruled he had 'unknowingly' taken the banned substance probenecid.

But the decision has been attacked by Ismail Jakoet, a member of the International Rugby Board (IRB) anti-doping advisory committee.

Jakoet claims that Tune, who says he took the substance to heal an injury, should be punished with a mandatory two-year suspension.

Tune admitted taking the substance in March 2001 but, despite telling the ARU, he failed to notify the IRB.

"I have put it formally in writing to the IRB why I am concerned about the action, or the lack of action, taken by the ARU," said Jakoet.

"They found him guilty. In terms of the IRB regulations the mandatory sentence is a two-year ban.

"The circumstances are irrelevant. There are no exceptional circumstances under the IRB regulations."

Closed

Jakoet argues that, although some banned substances can be legally prescribed for medicinal purposes, probenecid is not one of them.

"The IRB doesn't have to accept the ARU's decision. It has the final say on the outcome of hearings by their affiliates," he said.

"The IRB, like any other international federation, can overturn decisions."

The IRB has already asked to see the details of the case and is expected to call a meeting within five days.

Tune is set to fly out to Johannesburg for the Wallabies' Tri-Nations clash against South Africa.

He is currently free to focus on his rugby, but Jakoet's comments look set to add more fuel to a matter that Tune would surely have hoped closed.