Wayward Wallabies star Kurtley Beale has been stood down indefinitely and is seeking counselling but still appears at odds with his Super Rugby club Melbourne after denying having a problem with alcohol.
Beale has been barred from rugby for the foreseeable future after punching two of his Rebels teammates, skipper Gareth Delve and Cooper Vuna, on the team bus following a heavy loss to the Sharks in Durban last Sunday (AEDT).
The incident was understood to be alcohol-related and follows a string of other incidents involving the talented but troubled Australian pivot.
While accepting his punishment after a day of meetings with the Australian Rugby Union (ARU), Rebels management and the players’ association, Beale issued a statement to Fox Sports’ Rugby HQ program saying drinking was not a major issue for him.
“I really don’t think I have an alcohol problem but sometimes alcohol doesn’t agree with me,” he said.
“In a controlled environment – at a barbecue or at a restaurant – I’m fine but, at other times, I make bad choices.
“I had no intent to hit Cooper or Gareth. It was very stupid and disrespectful. I asked for time and space to calm down and wasn’t able to get it.
“I’m working hard to fix the problems. I’m not perfect and I know I have got issues and I have to deal with it and fix those issues. It is an ongoing battle for me.”
According to the Rebels, it’s a battle clearly linked to the bottle with former teammate and current Melbourne media manager Adam Freier opening up about Beale’s situation earlier in the day.
Asked on Sky Sports Radio what the problem was, Freier replied: “It has to be alcohol, that is the big issue.
“I’m not saying he’s Robinson Crusoe, there’s a lot of people with the same issue in sport, but we need to address it properly.”
Freier later said Beale’s statement had not been endorsed by the club.
On Thursday night, the ARU issued a statement explaining that Beale had been fined a “substantial” amount, admitted his guilt in the matter and had foregone the opportunity to have his case heard by a disciplinary tribunal.
“This is an important step for Kurtley and the ARU feels an obligation to assist in ensuring, regardless of rugby, that he moves forward in a positive manner,” ARU CEO Bill Pulver said.
“He knows he needs to be accountable for his actions, and he is determined to overcome the challenges he has faced in recent times.
“The unfortunate matter in South Africa was not an isolated incident for Kurtley.
“He understands it was unacceptable and, most critically, acknowledges he needs to make changes.”
Rebels CEO, Steven Boland, said he hoped Beale would “embrace the assistance required to beat the issues that have been plaguing his life over the last period of time.
“We will fully support Kurtley through this process and hope that there is a time not far down the track when he can rejoin his teammates at the Rebels.”
Beale is regarded as one of the best rugby players in Australia but has had a chequered history of off-field issues.
He is also still to attend mediation on April 17 over the alleged assault of a Brisbane bouncer last year.
not fussed
Guest
Won't some one think of the children!!!!!!!
johnson
Guest
nice one high tackle
johnson
Guest
I don't reckon your right there rebel. Alcohol makes a lot of people do dumb things.
Blue Blood
Guest
Seems to me that KB doesn't learn from his mistakes. Second time he has gotten violent when drinking and all while injured. Why was he even on tour while injured? Why was he not on a drinking ban while injured? Not that you'd think you would have to spell it out to an experienced professional athlete. But his history suggests that they need to. Not that I blame anyone but KB for his actions. He drank the booze. He lost his cool and got violent. I don't care if he is KB or just a bloke at the pub. His actions are unacceptable. If I punched my team Leader and another employee at work I'd be fired and have charges filed against me. He got a fine and got stood down. But he is injured and can't play for weeks anyway. So he is being stood down from what exactly I'm not sure. I bet he doesn't miss one game once physically fit to return. Not sure he deserves yet another chance. Especially when he thinks he doesn't have a problem.
Rebel
Guest
So he doesn't have an alcohol problem, but he has problems on alcohol. You must be his speech writer.
Ian
Guest
How sad. You can't solve a problem until you admit you have one. How tragic that Kurtley does not realise he has an alcohol problem. Until he faces true reality, and not as he perceives it, he won't change and can't be helped. Quite tragic, actually.
Justin2
Guest
huge deal or not isn't the issue. there are just too many deals
Fatty
Guest
And somewhere in all of this, perhaps he could take a moment to apologise to both Delve and Vuna. Delve has been outstanding both as a player and representative of the Rebels in their establishing years. He deserves better than no apology, as does Vuna.
Hightackle
Guest
No Kurtley didnt say that. You did. He said that he doesnt have an alcohol problem. He said he makes the wrong decisions on alcohol sometimes.
Cantab
Guest
Yip.
Cantab
Guest
Good comment
Billy Bob
Guest
Therein lies a big part of the problem. Most people drink. Most of the people advising Kurtley not to drink are drinkers. Some of these drinkers get silly when they drink. The immature person with a behavioural problem finds excuse in the drinking behaviour of others. They can't or won't see the difference between singing loudly when tipsy and smacking the captain. There is a difference and those that love him need to tell him in words that he understands like- fine, suspension, drink ban, contract on line. I love the guy as a player. Love him. But it is doing him no favours to let him put himself in the wrong headlines on a regular basis. As talented as Kurtley is, he should remember the landscape is different now. Jesse Mogg is part of it, as are a couple of others.
Hightackle
Guest
My god. For a contact sport there sure are a lot of fans that turn their noses up and act like high moral wannabes when a player gets in a fight. Do you really care? Why? I mean wow he got in an argument and lashed out, he MUST be an alcoholic that needs support bla bla bla. Kurtley got into a fight when he was pissed, he was fined and is now taking time out of the game to sort it out. Done, over. Lets not act as if this is a huge deal. It isnt.
Hightackle
Guest
Yeah he bullied a bouncer, Vuna and Delve. No he didnt.
Malo
Guest
Lets face we have all done something we regret on the turps. KB hit the turps after your career but Im the last person who should preach.
Jonny Boy Jnr
Guest
I agree with Kurtley. The problem isn't alcohol...the problem is Kurtley
AdamS
Roar Guru
Excuses for the dust up and denial of a problem.. Kurtley is stumbling at the first step. Could be in for a long journey.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
P.S. Probably a bigger lesson for Beale would have been is Delve had ripped his head off and sh#t down his neck.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
I hope that the ARU laid it on the line that improve your behaviour, get on the field and play great rugby, prove that the team and not yourself comes first OR you will not be selected to play for the Wallabies against the Lions ..... that is probably the greatest eye opener / punishment that Beale could be given. If he needs to give up alcohol to achieve that, then so be it. If he needs to employ a good dose of self discipline to limit his alcohol in-take then so be it. I'm with Billy Bob ..... Kurtley knows, Kurtley decides.
Rebel
Guest
So what KB is saying is that alcohol doesn't make him act like a DH, then he must just be a DH to start with. Great defence of ones self there.