Kurtley Beale’s short-term Wallabies future is in serious jeopardy after the ARU launched a fresh investigation into the troubled star allegedly distributing offensive text messages concerning a team staff member.
Beale, who was suspended indefinitely from all rugby on Thursday, is already the subject of a separate inquiry by the game’s integrity unit over an alleged confrontation with Wallabies business manager Di Patston on a flight between South Africa and Argentina.
It’s understood Patston is also the subject of the text messages uncovered by the ARU on Tuesday night, described by chief executive Bill Pulver as being inappropriate and “deeply offensive”.
Speculation suggests the Wallabies camp has become a dysfunctional environment, with rumours circulating about McKenzie and Patston’s relationship and that members of the team have lost support for the coach.
However, Pulver said he was comfortable with the working dynamic between McKenzie and Patston and denied the team had become divided.
Pulver refused to comment on whether Patston was the subject of Beale’s messages sent to members of the Wallabies team environment, however he admitted the staff member involved was inadvertently sent the offending material.
McKenzie didn’t find out about the messages until this week, according to Pulver.
Beale, who has been linked to a move to the NRL and French rugby, has a history of off-field incidents and potentially faces severe sanctions at next week’s independent code of conduct tribunal to be chaired by District Court Judge Mark Williams.
“The investigation into the argument on the plane has become a secondary matter in recent days,” said Pulver, with Beale ruled out of the Bledisloe Cup clash in Brisbane on October 18.
“I really don’t want to prejudge (potential consequences). It’s sufficient to say this is deeply offensive material involved. Now we need to run a process where Kurtley has his opportunity to present his case.”
Pulver said he supported McKenzie’s decision to abandon a Wallabies training session in Argentina and accompany Patston to a Buenos Aires airport where she made an early return home to Australia following the midair incident involving Beale.
ARU boss Pulver, who hired McKenzie last year, gave the coach his full backing and said he had no issue with Patston’s appointment.
“I’m conscious of speculation about that issue but I am very comfortable with the due diligence that went into that,” he said.
“I’m totally confident (the players support McKenzie). Ewen is a great coach.”
Pulver said Patston had taken indefinite sick leave and the ARU was concerned about her health.
“The last week has been a very stressful week for Di and we have an absolute duty of care to take care of Di and I would sincerely ask all the media to respect her privacy,” he said.
Pulver denied the Wallabies were dysfunctional or that players would be distracted heading into the clash with the All Blacks.
He even went as far as to suggest that had Australia beaten South Africa and Argentina on their recent tour, the messy situation wouldn’t have blown up as it has.
Beale’s suspension has also left the Wallabies with a selection headache ahead of Friday’s Bledisloe team announcement, with fellow inside back Matt Toomua also set to miss out with ongoing concussion problems.
Both injured No.8s Wycliff Palu (concussion) and Ben McCalman (shoulder) are also unlikely to be considered.
Glefty
Guest
Yoko Ono = Di Patston?
Lostintokyo
Guest
Australian's lack of respect for authority can be traced back to our convict streak. Mateship too. In the rugby environment it can cause problems but playing for your mates is an ethos advantage.
DaniE
Roar Guru
Exactly
Red Kev
Roar Guru
In any situation in which you are a professional manager. What on earth makes you think McKenzie is the right person navigate an "unfamiliar and occasionally dangerous country"? The correct thing to do is to have a local liaison do it, or a tour manager, or your travel agent. Or if all that fails, call the Argentinian Union who are hosting you and ask for one of their guys who does know the country to help you.
Red Kev
Roar Guru
Ha just saw you wrote almost the same earlier Mike - we're in deadset agreement (strange to be honest)
Markus
Guest
Mitchell's conflict resolution methods seem very much limited to sacking any players who dare question him. Unfortunately The All Blacks is probably the only team in world rugby who can regularly afford such a luxury. Given that Mitchell's tenure with the Lions ended in almost exactly the same way as his one with the Force but in half the amount of time, I'd take any opinion he has on authority with a grain of salt.
Red Kev
Roar Guru
You're right that McKenzie has backed himself into a corner (with Pulver's help). Either he is shagging one of the team staff in which case he's guilty of misconduct and poor judgement and should be stood down, but it makes missing training at least understandable. However he has categorically denied that, which is in my opinion worse. That shows a shocking lack of judgement and ridiculous priorities regarding his role as head coach - skipping training (for the second time allegedly - having done it in Perth and Mendoza) to accompany a staff member to the airport. Sorry, there is no scenario in which that is acceptable. He should be fired. Furthermore, Patston is clearly a divisive element within the team.
Markus
Guest
Beale was an excellent full back for one EOYT, four years ago. Since then he has been a god awful fullback more often than not.
ChanWee
Guest
@ Johnny J-Dog : LOL , reminds me of an incident at a NZ test match. where SBW tore is jersey and he put on another one in the park. then MIB doctor Deb helped him as it was tight and immediately the internet was buzzing with pics and captions of the luckiest lady around :D maybe it is still available in the net , SBW with his 6 pack and all and Deb having the least interest in his physique !
Debz
Guest
Andrew Walker wasn't particularly well looked after. He wanted to spend time with his pregnant wife, so left a training camp to go home. He got dropped and publicly shamed by the media. Then it happens again and he's sacked. I'm not saying he should have been able to leave the training camp, it just would have been nice for people to try and understand the cultural reasons for why it happened. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/3011109/Wallabies-want-Walker-back.html
ChanWee
Guest
@ MJB : too true , but does that mean the team leader takes the person in distress himself? maybe u have heard of a IQ question where ur a ta bustop and its raining and ..... there are 2 questions in that episode. one is why did the coach go with the lady? two is would he have gone if it was someone else, say a player or a support staff? also for a coach to miss training and go with a staffer , it must be a very serious distress :) for example, when a player on tour gets a very bad injury, does the coach go with him to airport and pack him off ?
KW
Guest
Well McKenzie has come out and denied any relationship with the ARU manager which leaves Beale on very shaky ground given they are offensive text messages sent in the workplace, that in any work place scenario would be instant dismissal if its found to be harassment. I would say Beale is gone either way.
Grahame
Guest
touché!
Matt from Pony Land
Guest
Say what you like about his teams' playing style, but you can't deny Jake is able to build a great team culture.
Rebel
Guest
Difference between a direct quote and paraphrasing. I was unaware of that article and could not find it using your direct quote. I'd hardly call it an ultimatum to the ARU, just a rugby identity manipulating the press. Now where have I seen that before and people getting upset when their comments are paraphrased. Would have been fine if a direct quote from KBs interview was actually used, a bit like this whole sorry saga and the multitude of accusations/assumptions. Unfortunately people from all sides of Australian rugby are using this to push their existing agendas/bias. As a neutral it has been predictable and amusing. I am waiting for the findings to come out, but no matter what they are, one side will not be happy and claim a conspiracy.
Thunderguts
Guest
The stench from the bloated and decaying corpse that is the ARU is pervading the whole country. The time that it is taking to prepare a report for the coroner is reminiscent of " if we deny everything for long enough" it will go away. Again we see nil leadership coming from Pulver and McKenzie has his head so far in the ground that he is able to look backwards. The "Toxic" environment that QC referred to is obviously alive and well and all we need now is raunchy nude photos of all the players to keep the environment of distraction and denial fertilized and flourishing. Maybe one day we will get back to the subject at hand -- playing exciting Rugby that enthuse the great unwashed to attend games and pay outrageous prices for ARU merchandise.
ChanWee
Guest
nah u got it wrong GRAHAME. SHAG will only do the deed , but LINK established a long term connection :P that was the mistake. He shud have shagged and moved on - no make a Link :D
SP
Guest
What in particular is it that your husband doesn't like re the ARU's treatment of Indigenous Australians? You appear to be hinting that Indigeneous players have been mis or unfairly treated by the ARU. Can you provide an example(s)?
Hertryk
Guest
Hear! Hear!
Debz
Guest
I agree Harry T. And I'm laughing at the replies from the other two. Note - I said Racism MAY be a factor. My husband is an Indigenous Australian. He doesn't support the Wallabies because of his perception of how the ARU have treated Indigenous people in the past.