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Wallabies Kurtley Beale and Cooper Vuna have been sent home from South Africa following an alleged fracas hours after the Melbourne Rebels slumped to a franchise record 64-7 Super Rugby defeat in Durban.
Rebels officials were investigating after the pair are believed to have clashed following a visit to a local nightspot on the Rebels’ team bus.
A News Limited report says the incident is understood to have followed an argument between Beale and Rebels captain Gareth Delve after Delve ordered Beale to put his shirt back on before the bus reached the hotel.
Hours after the Rebels’ humiliating record 10-try defeat by the Sharks in Durban on Saturday night (early Sunday AEDT), Vuna tweeted that Beale had punched him.
“I need to leave right now, this ain’t for me! I tried to help someone but got punched so instead of putting him in hospital il leave!” Vuna posted at 1.27am local time (11.27am AEDT).
The tweet was deleted about half an hour later but later published on fan website Green and Gold Rugby.
When a Twitter user, named @heart_Madrid, asked Vuna if his alleged assailant “was drunk”, the Rebels back replied: Hmmmmm his name is @kurtley_beale bloody grub!”
Beale didn’t play in the match as he continues his recovery from hand surgery but was expected to be available next week’s clash with the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein while the Sharks game was Vuna’s first competition match this season after a shoulder injury.
Vuna, who played two Tests last year, has been on a self-imposed alcohol ban.
Rebels media manager Adam Freier issued a statement on the matter on Sunday afternoon but indicated the club would not name the players involved until it had been dealt with.
He said no outside parties were involved.
“The Melbourne Rebels would like to respond to reports of an incident between players following the team’s bus trip home to their hotel in Umhlanga,” said the statement.
“The club is treating this matter as serious and a full internal investigation has begun with the players involved.
“Therefore, the club cannot provide any further comment until the internal investigation is completed.”
Beale is facing assault allegations arising from an incident at a Brisbane night spot last year, in which he was alleged to have hit a bouncer.
The case was sent to mediation late last month, with the first session to take place next month.
Earlier, Rebels coach Damien Hill had questioned his players’ pride in their jersey following their heavy loss to the Sharks which surpassed their previous biggest defeat of 53-3 by the Queensland Reds in their first year in the competition in 2011.
“Our guys just didn’t show up and it’s quite embarrassing to be honest,” said Hill, with his team 13th on the ladder with one win for the season.
“It’s probably the worst defeat I’ve ever been associated with through the club and I’m really questioning the pride these guys have in the jersey.
“Even though it’s a new team, you’ve got to be prepared to leave blood on the field when you’re playing a team like the Sharks and our guys didn’t.”
In their third season, the new team excuse is wearing thin and their sorry tally of 19 turnovers and 31 missed tackles told the story of an abject defeat by a Sharks team bristling after being humbled by the Brumbies a week earlier.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.