T-shirt tears Wallabies apart
The much talked about mid-air argument between Kurtley Beale and Di Patston was all due to a request that the utility back change the T-shirt he was wearing.
The heated argument has shrouded the playmaker in controversy and has put a staff member's future in doubt after a background check into her qualifications.
The incident is under investigation by the head of the ARU's integrity unit, Phil Thomson. Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie revealed no details of what was alleged to have occurred for fear, he said, of "a trial by media".
What triggered the boilover, however, reveals a fraught picture of a team under immense pressure, individuals vulnerable after a bitter loss, and concerns about growing unease within the side.
Fairfax Media understands McKenzie was sitting next to Patston on the flight and that the request to change apparel was a request from the head coach, which sparked the encounter.
McKenzie had made the same request of rookie second-rower Sam Carter, it is understood, and both players complied.
But Beale, in a foul mood after the side's 28-10 loss to the Springboks 15 hours earlier, made a sarcastic comment as he returned to his seat.
According to winesses in the cabin, the comment was questioned by Patston and the pair argued with each other while McKenzie and other members of the touring party tried to intervene.
The Wallabies coach was notably absent from the side's training session on Tuesday afternoon, and it has since emerged he had personally escorted Patston to the airport to ensure she made her flight (back home) safely.
But what on the surface appeared to be yet another disciplinary issue involving Beale, who has battled a history of off-field and alcohol-related issues, rapidly emerged as a far more complex picture.
"[With] matters of integrity, you've actually got to protect the people involved until there is some sort of decision.
"There's processes going on and, as I say, it's awkward when you're [on the other side of the world], but welfare and these matters are paramount from my perspective, and behaviour," McKenzie said.
Many inside the Wallabies consider her a hard-working and indispensable team member who has taken on more responsibility as ARU budget cuts bit hard.
But it is understood some members of the playing group and management have felt growing unease at Patston's expanding but blurry role within the team, which has seen her sit in on disciplinary matters.
It is also understood that while no-one condones Beale's behaviour – for which he later apologised – a number inside the camp feel he is in danger of being unfairly made a scapegoat.
While Beale was not drinking on the flight, and denies being intoxicated, it is understood he and other teammates had consumed alcohol after the Test match – their only team-sanctioned opportunity to share a drink while in camp.
"These things are time-consuming, so I don't pretend that I enjoy the distraction of it. But matters of welfare are critical.
"Matters of behaviour are critical, too, to team culture, so I'm not going to sit here and leave things undone or not attended.
"I'll follow the things through and obviously the ARU will take the lead on it but I'll follow it through until [the end] and make sure things get sorted," McKenzie added.
Sydney Morning Herald
