The ARU have announced a further $3000 fine for breaching team protocols, after the Integrity investigation into the altercation on the plane from South Africa to South America concluded.
The full release is below, with the key takeouts being:
– Beale has been found guilty of breaching team protocols and fined $3,000.
– The ARU will re-open negotiations with Kurtley Beale regarding his future in Australian Rugby when his current contract expires at the end of this year, with all contractual arrangements to remain confidential.
– The incident was deemed as a “moderate breach of team protocols”.
Full release
The Australian Rugby Union today announced Wallaby Kurtley Beale has been found guilty of breaching team protocols and fined $3,000, following an ARU Integrity investigation into a verbal altercation with members of the Wallaby management team on a flight on 28 September 2014.
The incident was deemed to be a moderate breach of team protocols and the ARU Integrity investigation found Beale guilty of inappropriate public behaviour as a result of being rude and disrespectful of Wallaby management in public.
The investigation by the ARU’s Integrity Unit into the in-flight argument was separate from the investigation into Beale’s distribution of an offensive text message which warranted a Code of Conduct Tribunal hearing last week.
The timing of the hearing was determined by the Tribunal, following a request by Beale’s lawyers for additional time to prepare their case.
The Tribunal found Beale guilty of a serious violation of the ARU Code of Conduct and Beale was fined $45,000 for the offence.
Australian Rugby Union Chairman Michael Hawker said the ARU had now concluded both investigations and said that proper processes in line with the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Rugby Union Players’ Association had comprehensively dealt with both offences.
“There has been significant public debate about these offences and significant criticism of the ARU’s management of the issues. We have carefully investigated the offences, evaluated all available evidence and applied proper process to ensure that the judgements have been arrived at fairly and impartially.”
“While the Code of Conduct Tribunal hearing was pending, we chose not to engage in public speculation or promote unsubstantiated claims, to respect the integrity and confidentiality of the Tribunal and Integrity Unit processes.
The ARU has today published a summary of these events which is available via www.rugby.com.au or by clicking here.
The ARU will re-open negotiations with Kurtley Beale regarding his future in Australian Rugby when his current contract expires at the end of this year, with all contractual arrangements to remain confidential.
“The ARU is deeply disappointed that an offensive text message was sent, the in-flight incident occurred and the aftermath of these events were factors in the resignations of Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie and Business Manager Di Patston. There is no basis on which it was acceptable for Ms Patston to have been subjected to the offensive text message.
“As a result of these events, we have identified a need for greater off-field leadership and support for the Wallabies. ARU General Manager Pathways & Performance Ben Whitaker is providing that support for the current Spring Tour with a longer term solution to be determined after the tour.
“Our focus now is on building on the significant achievements of the past couple of years, supporting the growth of Rugby in Australia and celebrating the major upcoming events including this weekend’s Buildcorp National Rugby Championship final in Brisbane and the Spring Tour for the Qantas Wallabies which starts tomorrow at Twickenham,” Mr Hawker said
Mike
Guest
How do we know there even was a second text message? There is only Patston's say-so for that. She hasn't handed her phone over, she didn't speak to investigators, she didn't turn up to the hearing, and the billing records don't show it.
Soapit
Guest
You see him doing all this from the bench presumably?
Soapit
Guest
Pretty sure they were happy for him to take more than 15 months for him to do those things Juts. On field performance did nothing in this. If he'd won every eoyt match he would have shot up around 63. Even if he lost one he'd have been just shy of 60 (I think)
Rob G
Guest
is the other person involved in the argument going to get a $3000 fine as well?? From all reports it was a two sided slanging match, not just beale abusing her as FOS would have you believe.
Ronaldo
Guest
Pathetic Pulver. Pathetic Hawker!! You both know who sent the second text message!! This matter will never die until you come clean. What a sorry little band you are. This fine game does not belong to the likes of you.
grapeseed
Guest
hahahaha TahDan, so the only quote anyone remembers is the one from Patston saying he'd never play for the Wallabies again? Everything else is just vagary. It should tell you something about the interests of the person providing (selecting) the information.
Chivas
Guest
Really drove fans away and women. Worse than the Mat Johns incident some years back. It was a mean spirited text. The way you and some are carrying on here, you would think he has committed some major crime. Even Quade breaking and entering and stealing property never had this effect. Some people have lost all perspective....
cs
Guest
TahDan & ThelmaWrites, does not the apparent threat that KB would 'never play for the Wallabies again' touch the very nerve at the centre of this business? Exactly what right did a business manager have to tell a player that he will not be selected for Australia? A matter for the coach in consultation with his official selectors, I would have thought. Effectively, the right to apply playing sanctions is the equal if reverse of the power to make positive selections. This is surely beyond the pale. So, what exactly were this position's responsibilities and lines of authority over what areas? I've so far read that the job entailed being a cultural consultant to the coach and a psychologist or 'mother' to the team, which don't sound like commercial business. Is exercising ultimate authority on a matter of travel apparel the job of a culture consultant or mother ? Where is the line between the two? The whole thing strikes me as weird. If the business manager was mother, as Christian Lealiifano repeatedly described her role, did that make EM the 'father'? This would make the players the children, and perhaps we shouldn't be surprised if they start behaving accordingly.
Sportym
Guest
Ahhh DMAC, I thought die hard Apple fans were brainwashed..... thank you for proving me wrong. Put down the NSW Koolaid!!!! Please tell me your getting paid for this.....if your trolling for free HA HA HA HA!!!!!
Sportym
Guest
cause the punishment was a joke! And seems the Joke has gone viral!
Sportym
Guest
Damn that punishment must really hurt KB, 0.5% of his salary!!!! When I go back to OZ, I'm going to work for the NSWRU, its awesome to be above the law, and IF you get caught, gentle slap on the wrist!
DMac
Guest
Beale pulled a knife on her, then when he was restrained, tried to sneak cyanide into her lemonade. You know, standard Wayne Smith stuff.
Chan Wee
Guest
So unprofessional from these people. DUH :( why do they have to keep on bringing this up like pricking a pimple every other day???? not seen any other country go on and on about something every week. hear it , find it , punish it and move on. am sure no one wants to keep on hearing about this as they start to focus on something new. as the lead actor in a comedy i saw says " nuking futs " !!!
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Whoop de doo.
Bakkies
Guest
Vomit
Paul from Melbourne
Guest
What Beale did is no where near as effective in driving supporters of rugby away than how the Mosman Mafia handle themselves and the Union. And to be honest, we don't really know what exactly he did with the exception of some message and some argument.
Paul from Melbourne
Guest
So what did Wayne Smith say?
mattocks
Guest
I may be wrong but i thought contract negotiations usually started before the contract was actuallty finished. As it says here The ARU will re-open negotiations with Kurtley Beale regarding his future in Australian Rugby when his current contract expires at the end of this year, with all contractual arrangements to remain confidential It seems to me that the ARU might just be delaying talking to Beale in order to let him find something else to do. Thereby getting the outcome they desired. Or is that just me reading to much into it.
Ziehl Neelsen
Guest
you should get out more Wade; I suggest you modify your behaviour
Wade Fyte
Guest
Thank you Cadfael, but please forgive me if I DONT see Scary Movie 3 !! Since boiled brain is a major issue up here in the tropics I think that tin (having a thermal conductivity of 67 -k-W/(m.K) would be a poor choice of material for milliners when compared, for example, to felt (0.04), cork (0.07), asbestos (0.14) or even potato (0.55).