AUSTRALIA COACH Michael Cheika has not included Kurtley Beale in his November internationals squad, despite being eligible for selection.
Beale was fined 45,000 Australian dollars over claims he sent explicit text messages and images to an Australian Rugby Union (ARU) employee, widely named as Di Patston, who has since left her position.
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A marathon six-hour disciplinary hearing on Friday decided Beale’s fate and it was widely assumed that the versatile back, who formed a strong bond with Cheika at the New South Wales Waratahs this season, would receive an immediate call-up from the newly installed coach after being clear to play effective immediately.
But Cheika has seized the opportunity to make a dual statement that bad behaviour will not be tolerated and that he will not play favourites at the Wallabies.
Beale could still join the touring party as an injury replacement, but will remain in Sydney for the time being after his initial snub.
“The Australian Rugby Union today [Saturday] confirmed Qantas Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika has advised Kurtley Beale will not join the squad for the Spring Tour,” an ARU spokesman said on Saturday.
“From time to time there are changes to personnel during tours, due to injury or other matters, and we will advise if there are any changes to this position.”
The Wallabies play the Barbarians, Wales, France, Ireland and England on the six-week tour.
Cheika and his squad flew out of Sydney on Friday and are in London ahead of the tour-opener against the Barbarians at Twickenham next weekend.
Despite being cleared to play Australia omit disgraced Beale from tour squad
AUSTRALIA COACH Michael Cheika has not included Kurtley Beale in his November internationals squad, despite being eligible for selection.
Beale was fined 45,000 Australian dollars over claims he sent explicit text messages and images to an Australian Rugby Union (ARU) employee, widely named as Di Patston, who has since left her position.
A marathon six-hour disciplinary hearing on Friday decided Beale’s fate and it was widely assumed that the versatile back, who formed a strong bond with Cheika at the New South Wales Waratahs this season, would receive an immediate call-up from the newly installed coach after being clear to play effective immediately.
But Cheika has seized the opportunity to make a dual statement that bad behaviour will not be tolerated and that he will not play favourites at the Wallabies.
Beale could still join the touring party as an injury replacement, but will remain in Sydney for the time being after his initial snub.
“The Australian Rugby Union today [Saturday] confirmed Qantas Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika has advised Kurtley Beale will not join the squad for the Spring Tour,” an ARU spokesman said on Saturday.
The Wallabies play the Barbarians, Wales, France, Ireland and England on the six-week tour.
Cheika and his squad flew out of Sydney on Friday and are in London ahead of the tour-opener against the Barbarians at Twickenham next weekend.
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