Beale to join Wallabies on European tour

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Controversial back Kurtley Beale will join the Wallabies on their European tour to reboot his international career, a report said Friday.

The Daily Telegraph reported Beale will leave on Saturday along with back-rower Jake Schatz as the Wallabies bolster their squad for the final two games of their tour against Ireland and England.

Beale has not played for Australia since the Wallabies’ loss in Cape Town against South Africa on September 27.

On the flight to Argentina Beale had an argument with then Wallabies business manager Di Patston, which quickly descended into a major scandal engulfing the Australian Rugby Union and leading to the resignations of Patston and Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie.

 

Beale was fined a total of Aus$48,000 ($41,700) for sending an offensive text message to Patston and sanctioned again later for being rude and disrespectful to Wallaby team management on the flight.

ARU chief Bill Pulver, himself under pressure for his handling of the saga, warned that Beale, who previously wrestled with alcohol problems, was on notice for the final time.

New Wallabies coach Michael Cheika had indicated that Beale had been left behind due to fitness, rather than any disciplinary issue, and that he could join the camp at some point.

The newspaper said that will come this weekend when Beale rejoins his national teammates, and he will watch them play France in Paris on Saturday.

Beale will be in contention to play in Australia’s next game, against Ireland in Dublin, the following weekend, it said.