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.
“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.
“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.
Ben.S
Roar Guru
But he places too much emphasis on names over actual ability. He could fill his boots with some of these Wallabies! Pardon the sarcasm - I'm no fan of Boudjellal or Toulon.
Oz Rugby fan
Guest
Its funny reading some of the comments in here sticking the boot into AAC (and Hooper) without realising that these articles are cherry picking comments that the players make, I note that the SMH started their article quoting AAC as saying: Wallabies vice-captain Adam Ashley-Cooper says he does not condone the actions of embattled teammate Kurtley Beale but will stick by his "close friend" through thick and thin... I think that is the right attitude to have myself. So many know it alls on this forum over these comments despite not having all the information, some of the comments are really grubby too. Certain posters need to have a hard look at themselves just as much as Beale does.
Bakkies
Guest
He turfs players out pretty quick if they act the mongrel
Selector
Guest
haha Gold RK.
Red Kev
Roar Guru
Do you really want to see Darius Boyd as a Wallaby?
Rebel
Guest
Agree that it is rife around here. Unfortunately this whole sorry saga has been used as a barrow by people from all sides to push their agendas/bias.
soapit
Guest
mate i really couldnt care less what the nz is. different country different situation and not much can be changed in the short or medium term. fact is given what other young athletes options are the nz version ARE a lot luckier to play for ab's than the wallaby equivalent and funnily enough that get borne out in their behaviour.
Daz
Guest
Yep and the first thing he would do is get rid of all the coach killers and entitled ones. That'd be a good start.
Ben.S
Roar Guru
Incestuous half-wits. Hopefully Boudjellal and Toulon can absorb some of the current Wallaies and everybody can forget this ever happened.
PiratesRugby
Guest
This is becoming a real disgrace. Beale doing it tough is he? Because his creepy behaviour is seeing the light of day. Nothing said about the woman who was the victim of Beale's prurient behaviour. Do you reckon she might be doing it tough? Got a nice word for her AAC? I'd rather see you sticking up for the only woman on the touring party than your creepy mate. The Wallabies are not a team, theyre just a pack of bullies. When real men stand up to them, they crumble. Explains everything. I hope the ABs put 50 on the WBs in Brisbane. Again. No pride. Do the Kiwis call it "mana"? It's a foreign concept to this WB team.
TahDan
Roar Guru
Is anyone else in Australian rugby just wishing a tiny bit that we could get a guy like Wayne Bennett to coach the Wallabies? No nonense, no gimmicks, just gets s##t done and tells the players to pull their head in if they're playing up.
Harry Jones
Expert
Group texts are usually bad idea
Ruckin' Oaf
Guest
I might be drawing a long bow but it seems that the NZ player attitude is "I'm lucky to be an All Black I should be grateful" Whereas some of the Aussie attitudes seem to be along the lines of "They are so lucky I'm a Wallaby, they should be grateful"
Ruckin' Oaf
Guest
Yep or "let's wait until the investigation finishes"
AJ
Guest
is he sticking up for Di? She was part of the team.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
I think you will find it is management who set the dress guidelines for what the players wear when travelling. Considering all the Wallabies arrived in casual gear, I'd say he was actually obeying their directive.
soapit
Guest
imo aac's comments are significantly different to hoopers. saying you'd love him to stay is different to saying he should stay.
Kilbongteb
Guest
True, I just think he is an overrated player that should not be anywhere near the wallabies, so I am unfairly vilifying him. Bad habit I picked up reading roar comments
Drobbie
Guest
In a professional environment your personal friends mean jack sh*t. Just shows how much of a rookie outfit the Wallabies are. The media are merely exploiting Hoopers immaturity here, hes only 22. He should not be commenting about this situation.
The King
Guest
Ahh... Now I understand why someone from HR was travelling with the team.