Cheika blocks Beale's return
New Wallaby coach Michael Cheika has laid down the law, blocking Kurtley Beale's return to the Wallabies.
Beale was scheduled to fly out on Saturday to join the team in Europe, after a tribunal on Friday found him guilty of a serious violation of the Australian Rugby Union code of conduct, but did not revoke his playing license.
He was fined AU$45,000 (about US$40,000), for sending an offensive photograph to an ARU employee, but was eligible for selection for the Wallabies effective immediately.
However, a very brief statement, issued by an ARU spokesperson on Saturday, made it in regards to Kurtley Beale.
"The Australian Rugby Union today [Saturday] confirmed Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika has advised Kurtley Beale will not join the squad for the year-end tour," the ARU spokesperson said.
"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."
ARU chief executive Bill Pulver said late Friday he would inform Cheika of the tribunal's decision about Beale, admitting the player had been involved in a number of off-field incidents.
"I don't want to speculate right now, on the future in relation to Kurtley, but I think it's fair to say he has had a lot of indiscretions," Pulver told reporters.
Cheika and the Wallabies were in transit to Europe at the time of Beale's hearing on Friday.
The coach, Cheika, was contacted during a mid-journey stopover and advised of Beale's availability.
However, Cheika suggested Beale stay at home.
His fine on Friday followed his in-flight confrontation with former Wallabies business and logistics manager Di Patston and subsequent revelations that he sent lewd text messages to teammates about the former staffer.
The 25-year-old, who has also committed a number of other off-field indiscretions, which included facing criminal charges, did not front the media after the hearing.
However, in a statement, apologised to Patston and the wider community and said he would work to regain the respect of his teammates, fans and the Australian public.
The fall-out over the texts saw Ewen McKenzie abruptly quit as Wallaby coach last weekend and the ARU scramble to appoint Cheika, who coaches Super Rugby's Waratahs, ahead of the Europe tour.
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