Monday’s rugby news has Beale found guilty, some new additions against the Barbarians, Horwill off to England post-RWC and Toulon face Giteau injury.
Update
In Di Patston’s first public interview, with The Australian, she has revealed that she is devastated by the fact that by his own admission, Kurtley Beale sent the offensive text not once, but twice. First of all to “some Waratahs mates” via Whatsapp on the 3rd June, before then mistakenly sending the same image to Patston instead of Wallaby squad member James Hanson on the 9th by text. Beale has refused to name who those Waratah team mates were.
It’s also come to light that Beale is likely to also be investigated by the ARU for the mid-air incident with Patston on the plane from South Africa to Argentina.
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Beale guilty
Kurtley Beale has come out of the most recent off-field drama with his ARU contract intact, only receiving a $45,000 fine for sending an offensive photograph to then-ARU employee Di Patston. Beale escaped the threat of having his contract terminated when it was found that the more offensive second text was sent by someone else.
While the decision raises more questions than it answers, fans will likely never know the findings of the closed ARU arbitration. The Waratahs centre would technically be eligible for the Wallabies’ Spring Tour but coach Michael Cheika has said that it was important for Beale to work his way back into the physical and mental state required to play Test rugby. [/one_half]
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Cooper and Genia back for Ba-bas
Michael Cheika has signalled the return of former Wallabies halves Quade Cooper and Will Genia, set to feature in next weekend’s match against the Barbarians at Twickenham. Cooper will be returning from a lengthy injury layoff with shoulder and hip issues and will benefit from the spot opened up by Beale’s continued absense.
“You’ve got guys who haven’t played in the series previously like Will Genia and Quade Cooper who were mainstays for Australian rugby in the past and that’s only a good thing, so we’re going to give some guys a chance,” Cheika said. The Wallabies coach also ruled out any speculation that Michael Hooper’s captaincy may be up for review. [/one_half]
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Horwill joins exodus
Former Wallabies captain James Horwill will head overseas after the World Cup and he is currently concluding a deal with English club Harlequins. Horwill’s new contract is said to be worth $550,000-plus-a-year and the 56-Test lock will be 30 after next year’s Super Rugby season.
“Loyalty is important to me as a person. I cannot see myself playing for another Australian side … (but) playing overseas is something to consider down the track,” Horwill said after he signed a two-season deal with the Reds last year.
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Giteau injured
Toulon have overcome a leg injury to star five-eighth Matt Giteau to record a 23-13 victory over Ulster in the European Rugby Champions Cup clash in Belfast on Saturday. Giteau was taken off 27 minutes into the game, replaced by fellow ex-Wallaby Jame O-Connor at 10.
“To get a win here is tough.” said Toulon flanker Chris Masoe. “True champions are those that bounce back and front up and we have done that since we lost to Toulouse a fortnight ago.” Toulon will next face Leicester and Giteau’s availability is presently uncertain.
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