This just in from the Melbourne Rebels.
“Following discussions between the Rebels and the ARU it has been agreed that Kurtley Beale will be stood down from playing in this weekend’s match against the Blues in Auckland.
Kurtley has breached behavioural guidelines that were set by the ARU, Rebels, and RUPA, which were agreed to in full by Kurtley.
The relevant parties will meet to discuss any future course of action in relation to Kurtley.”
It’s understood that Beale went drinking after the Chiefs match last weekend, against team orders.
The news is a bombshell for both The Rebels and Wallabies, because having showed the talent we know he possesses to score an amazing solo try from the bench last weekend, this latest development would appear to be either:
A) Beale telling the Rebels to get stuffed
or
B) A sign of a much more deep-seated problem with alcohol.
Or both.
What now for Gilbert – was this ‘one for the road’ at the Last Chance Saloon?
It certainly raises a critical question for the Wallabies management.
Putting to one side his clear off-field behavioural problems, if the Rebels were to rip up his contract which they would surely be in their rights to do (keeping in mind the open rumours that he’s off to the Tahs next year) that would leave him uncontracted to an Australian team.
Would this make him ineligble to play in the Lions series regardless of the selection issues caused by this latest suspension?
