SYDNEY // Kurtley Beale’s international career could hinge on the outcome of a new Australian Rugby Union hearing into a “deeply offensive” disciplinary allegation unearthed during the investigation into his heated mid-flight argument with a team official last week.
Australian Rugby Union chief executive Bill Pulver on Thursday said Beale will not be considered for Wallabies selection until a code of conduct tribunal concludes its hearing.
Read more: Kurtley Beale involved in bust-up and then dropped from Australia rugby squad
“This matter relates to Kurtley Beale allegedly distributing what we consider highly inappropriate and deeply offensive text messages and images to a number of people in June, referencing an ARU staff member,” Pulver said. “The investigation into the argument on the plane has become a secondary matter in recent days, with our focus diverted to these new allegations.
“We will finalize the investigation into the in-flight argument in due course.”
The tribunal, which will include representatives nominated by the ARU and the Rugby Union Players’ Association and will be chaired by a retired District Court judge, was expected to begin early next week. Australia was due announce a squad Friday for the Oct. 18 Bledisloe Cup test against New Zealand in Brisbane.
Beale has missed international and provincial rugby due to disciplinary matters before.
In February 2013, a scuffle between Beale and his then Melbourne Rebels teammates Gareth Delve and Cooper Vuna in South Africa revealed his issues with alcohol. He was suspended for a month over the altercation, then stumbled at his first attempts at rehabilitation after being seen drinking with teammates.
He missed the loss in Argentina at Mendoza last weekend in the wake of the altercation with a female ARU staffer on the flight from South Africa to Argentina between the Rugby Championship matches.
The new incident was raised for the first time with ARU management on Tuesday.
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