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Twist in the Beale-Patston saga: reports of evidence manipulation

23rd October, 2014
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Kurtley Beale in Waratahs colours. (Credit: SNPA / David Rowland)
23rd October, 2014
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The Kurtley Beale-Di Patston saga simply won’t go away, and there have been new revelations ahead of Beale’s hearing at the ARU Code of Conduct Tribunal today.

According to a sources as well as a report in the Daily Telegraph today, doubt has been cast over the veracity of some of the evidence put forward accusing Beale of sending untoward text messages.

The Telegraph has reported that the most offensive of the texts leaked to the media, widely considered to have been sent by Beale, may have been sent by a third party. The Roar understands that this scenario is being considered by the ARU, and Beale and his team will put forward evidence to that effect at the tribunal today.

There is also mention in the Telegraph’s report that “the ARU have accepted that the alleged text exchange between Beale and Patston tended as evidence in the Wallabies star’s code of conduct hearing has been manipulated”.

The Roar can’t confirm whether or not the evidence was manipulated, but there is strong consideration being given to the scenario that it may not have been Beale that sent all the messages that have been released to the public.

The report from the Telegraph that Beale’s camp will submit phone records as evidence, allegedly at odds with what was originally seen by the ARU, seems to be on the money as well.

There is no doubt that Beale sent at least one offensive text message. Whether this could amount to an about-face from the ARU is still up in the air. It has opened up the possibility of Beale being suspended for the end of year tour only. If this is the case, Beale will have the opportunity to stay in Australian Rugby next year, but European clubs have also shown interest in his services, and it has been reciprocated from the playmaker.

It is widely known and reported that Michael Cheika is a fan of Beale’s play, but it’s understood this will have no bearing on the result today.

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He still has to face the independent three-man tribunal today, and they will assess all the evidence tendered and determine Beale’s fate.

Mark Williams, a district court judge, John Boultee and Dominic Villa will sit on the Tribunal.

The Roar will have the latest updates on the tribunal throughout the day.

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