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Kurtley Beale staying positive, says Ashley-Cooper

Roar Guru
13th October, 2014
41

Senior Wallabies continue to back Kurtley Beale despite more revelations about the lewd and offensive text messages which have led to team business manager Di Patston resigning.

A day after captain Michael Hooper said he hoped Beale wouldn’t be sacked for distributing offensive material related to Patston, vice-captain Adam Ashley-Cooper came out strongly in support of the troubled star on Monday.

Ashley-Cooper, due to play his 100th Test on Saturday night against the All Blacks, said he was feeling for his close friend who had been “doing it tough” since the Australian Rugby Union started two investigations into his behaviour.

“The situation is sensitive and I can’t talk about it too much but because he is a good friend of mine I’d love for him to stay within Australian rugby union,” he said.

“One, because he is a good bloke and, two, because he is an extremely talented football player.”

Beale faces a code of conduct hearing this week but his future in Autralian rugby appears in serious doubt following publication on Monday of the text messages between Beale and Patston which are the subject of investigation.

Ashley-Cooper said he remained in touch with his NSW Waratahs centre partner, who has been stood down by the ARU.

“It’s been a tough week for him,” he said. “But I have spoken to Kurtley a number of times and he’s hanging in there. He’s doing well and he’s staying positive, which pleases me.

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“I’m feeling for Kurtley. I’m feeling for a mate. I’m feeling for a teammate and I share those feelings on behalf of the rest of the team.”

The fallout of the Beale-Patston drama has put coach Ewen McKenzie’s position under scrutiny at a time his success rate has fallen to 52 per cent from his 21 Tests in charge.

Ashley-Cooper said there was still strong support for McKenzie and he expected him to lead the Wallabies on next month’s Spring Tour of Europe.

The winger revealed the Wallabies players and staff held a positive team meeting in Brisbane on Sunday night when they all had a chance to air problems that could have been an obstacle to success.

Asked whether the current dramas could become divisive if Beale was sacked, Ashley-Cooper said: “Not necessarily.

“It’s out of our hands – out of the coaches’ hands, the ARU’s hands and the players’ hands – once we get to a conclusion we will take it from there.”

“At the end of the day, it’s important to understand that Kurtley is a teammate and you are always going to get behind a teammate. That’s what you do. You unite.

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“We stick together, that’s coaching staff included – we are a team, we’re one team.

“The last thing we want to do is see Kurtley leave the game.”

Ashley-Cooper remained adamant the Wallabies could still rise above the messy and dire situation to upset New Zealand for the first time in McKenzie’s reign at Suncorp Stadium.

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