• Australia take no action against Wallaby backs for late night • ‘It is not ideal but they have done nothing wrong’ Kurtley Beale slipped up for the second time in four days when, after ending up on his back after missing the penalty kick that would have won the first Test against the British & Irish Lions, he was snapped at a fast-food restaurant with his fellow Wallaby James O’Connor at 3.50am. Beale has served two suspensions this year for alcohol-related offences and when the photograph of the pair was published by the Daily Mail online , the Australian Rugby Union was obliged to investigate.
• Australia take no action against Wallaby backs for late night
• ‘It is not ideal but they have done nothing wrong’
Kurtley Beale slipped up for the second time in four days when, after ending up on his back after missing the penalty kick that would have won the first Test against the British & Irish Lions, he was snapped at a fast-food restaurant with his fellow Wallaby James O’Connor at 3.50am.
Beale has served two suspensions this year for alcohol-related offences and when the photograph of the pair was published by the Daily Mail online, the Australian Rugby Union was obliged to investigate.
The ARU decided not to discipline the players who had watched their team, Melbourne Rebels, lose to the Lions on Tuesday night before attending the after-match function. They were driving back to the team hotel, with O’Connor at the wheel, when they pulled into Hungry Jacks, posing for photographs with Lions’ supporters.
The ARU, after establishing that neither player had consumed alcohol, said no action would be taken against them as they had not breached team protocols. What the union did not say was that the Wallabies are running out of backs with five injured in the first Test.
“It is not ideal that the guys were out as late as they were but they have done nothing wrong,” said the ARU in a statement. “There has been a full and thorough investigation: the two players were out last night, but they were not drinking – 10 witnesses corroborated that.
“The players went to the Rebels v Lions game with their team-mates and after the match they went back to a function at a club, with other Rebels guys. Lions players were there as well. After leaving, they stopped off to pick up some food on the way home and had pictures taken with some fans.
“Both players are adamant that they didn’t drink and we have checked that out thoroughly. James O’Connor was driving. They have not broken any team protocols. Today is a day off for the squad and there were no commitments until late afternoon.”
The players were ticked off, posing with visiting fans at a late hour in an era when social media makes something local international instantly. “These players have done nothing wrong,” said the ARU. “Within the team protocols, they are expected to behave responsibly and show common sense but there are no curfews in place. They are allowed to go out and it was an historic night for the Rebels.
“In Kurtley’s situation, it is a personal emphasis on him and he is stung by any suggestion that he was on the drink. Since coming back, he has ticked all the boxes and his behaviour has been exemplary.”
The Australia flanker Ben Mowen said the Wallabies would not lack hunger on Saturday after going one down in the series and he backed Beale to find redemption.
“We’re extremely proud of what Kurtley’s done,” said Mowen. “He’s had to make some hard decisions over the last couple of months and own up to those very publicly, which has probably been the biggest challenge. The way he has come back has been amazing and he is in top nick.
“He’s a happy-go-lucky bloke, a big larrikin within the team. There are guys who give something on the pitch and off it in terms of vibe and he contributes to both. He is great to have around.”
Pat McCabe, the Australia centre who was one of three Wallaby backs taken off the field on a stretcher in the first Test, will not play again until next year after fracturing his neck.
