Qantas Wallabies utility back Kurtley Beale has been fined $5000 by Australian Rugby Union over an off-field indiscretion in Brisbane.
Hours after the Wallabies beat Ireland on June 26 in the final Test of last month’s four-game international campaign, Beale relieved himself in a public area outside a nightclub.
Admitting he had also consumed excessive alcohol on the night, Beale said today he is determined to learn from an incident which brought embarrassment to him and the game.
“I’m aware of the need to always be mindful of the responsibility I have when representing my country,” he said.
“However, it is also important I take responsibility for my actions regardless of whether it’s in or out of season or where I am at any given time.
“I have to take personal ownership for how I behave in public and I want to apologise to all those people I have let down on this occasion.
“I just want to put this behind me now and hopefully concentrate on helping the Wallabies in the upcoming Tri Nations.”
ARU High Performance Unit General Manager David Nucifora said Beale’s actions on the night were disappointing.
“We sat down with Kurtley today and explained to him that we cannot excuse players from such behaviour,” Nucifora said.
“There are structured programs in place for all our players to take advantage of where required so those opportunities are there for Kurtley, and others as well.
“While he has been fined, Kurtley remains in selection contention for the Tri Nations campaign.”
The Qantas Wallabies squad for the Tri Nations will be announced on Thursday.
Shits me that this is even a crime. I'd love to hear more about the structured programs that Nuci has put in place for all our players to take advantage of where required, would this be some sort of portaloo on a trailer?