SYDNEY (AP) — Australian utility back Kurtley Beale was sanctioned for the second time in a week, receiving a 3,000 Australian dollars ($2,650) fine Friday for his part in an argument with the Wallabies team business manager on a flight between South Africa and Argentina last month.
The argument between Beale and Di Patston triggered a separate investigation which threw the Wallabies into turmoil for weeks. In the midst of it, Patston left her job, Ewen McKenzie quit suddenly as coach and Beale, who had been suspended temporarily, was fined 45,000 Australian dollars ($40,000) after being found guilty by an independent disciplinary tribunal of a serious breach of the code of conduct for distributing an offensive text message in June.
Beale is now available for Wallabies selection — although he’s unlikely to join the squad on its European tour — and can re-open negotiations with the ARU on his contract which expires at the end of 2014.
The second fine, announced Friday after an ARU integrity unit investigation, was for a “moderate breach of team protocols” involving inappropriate public behavior and being disrespectful to Wallabies team management.
ARU chairman Michael Hawker said both investigations were concluded and both offenses “comprehensively dealt with.”
The ARU handling of the matter has been heavily criticized by the domestic media and fans, leading to wide speculation about the tenure of Hawker and ARU chief executive Bill Pulver.
But Hawker defended the management, saying that while the tribunal process was pending, “we chose not to engage in public speculation or promote unsubstantiated claims, to respect the integrity and confidentiality of the tribunal and Integrity Unit processes.”
“There has been significant public debate about these offences and significant criticism of the ARU’s management of the issues,” Hawker said. “We have carefully investigated the offenses, evaluated all available evidence and applied proper process to ensure that the judgments have been arrived at fairly and impartially.”
Hawker said the ARU was making changes to the Wallabies management structure and support team in the wake of the latest off-field dramas.
Michael Cheika was appointed as McKenzie’s replacement just days before the Wallabies left on a five-game European tour, which opens Saturday against the Barbarians in London, and Nathan Gray was hired as an assistant coach. A temporary team manager has also joined the touring squad.
Beale fined again; contract negotiations can start
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