Beale feels 'vindicated'
Wallaby star Kurtley Beale said he feels vindicated by the disciplinary process which saw him fined AU$45,000 (US$40,000) for sending a lewd text message to an Australian team official.
In his first interview since last Friday's judicial hearing, at which he was found guilty of breaching the Australian Rugby Union's code of conduct, Beale told News Corp he was confident "the truth would win out."
Beale was accused of accidentally sending text messages, including an obscene photograph, to Wallabies business manager Di Patston in June.
He was later involved in a verbal altercation with Patston during a team flight from South Africa to Argentina, leading Patston to quit her role.
Beale told News Corp he felt vindicated "because I never told anything but the truth."
The 47-Test veteran midfielder faced the possibility his international career might end after he was accused of sending two offensive text messages to Patston.
However, evidence was presented to last Friday's hearing which showed that, while Beale sent the first message inadvertently, the second and more offensive text was sent by somebody else.
Beale said he feared for his future, but was happy the disciplinary process had allowed him to reveal the truth.
"I have had some terrible lows in recent weeks, and been really down, but I feel I'm coming out of it now," Beale told News Corp.
"It was a devastating time for me and I wondered if I would ever wear the Wallabies jersey again.
"But I just kept saying to myself the truth will win out in the end."
Beale said he was determined to use the disciplinary process to show some allegations about his behaviour were untrue.
"That's why I fought so hard to clear my name," he said.
"I would have taken this as far as I had to prove to everyone that I have been honest throughout the entire process.
"I apologized to Di back in June, we hugged and cried over it and that's why I was so surprised when it became a big issue again. She and I agreed the case was closed and [coach] Ewen McKenzie was made aware of it."
Beale was cleared to return to the international team as soon as the disciplinary process ended, but new head coach Michael Cheika decided not to add him to the Wallabies squad currently touring Europe.
Cheika said it was important Beale returns to the right physical and mental state before rejoining the Australian team.
"Now I want to concentrate on getting my fitness back and being part of the Wallabies campaign leading up to the World Cup," Beale said.
"I miss playing with my best mates and can't wait to play under Michael Cheika with the Australian team."
Source: Associated Press
