A member of the Australian team who flew to Bermuda to compete in the World Rugby Classic was arrested en route yesterday in Los Angeles for allegedly stealing a fellow passenger?s wallet.

Former Wallaby prop Tony Daly was detained by the FBI at LA airport yesterday morning and though no charges were ultimately brought, he was required to board the next plane back to Australia.

World Rugby Classic organiser John Kane said he had ?heard the reports?, but couldn?t shed any further light on what happened, while attempts to make contact with the Classic Wallaby management were unsuccessful.

Daly ? who earned 41 caps for his country and scored the only try in Australia?s 1991 World Cup final victory over England ? was one of the star names due to compete in the 19th instalment of the Classic which begins this Sunday.

And despite the event?s vintage, it?s popularity continues to go from strength to strength ? with Kane revealing yesterday that they have sold over 7,000 corporate hospitality tickets, 2,000 more than they did three years ago.

?We?re really pleased with the response, particularly from the corporate community who are are all looking forward to some very competitive rugby,? he said.

Defending champions South Africa arrive in Bermuda tomorrow hoping to become the first team ever to win the event three times in a row.

And though a Bermuda team will not make up one of the eight sides in the Classic, Kane hinted yesterday that they may well play a friendly match against one of the losing semi-finalists before the final next Saturday.