Australia axe brawling Kurtley Beale from Lions Tests

Sydney: Australia’s hopes of beating the British and Irish Lions this summer were dealt a blow on Thursday with the news that their star back-line player Kurtley Beale had been stood down “indefinitely” following a bust-up with Melbourne Rebels teammates on Super 15 duty in South Africa.

Beale has been instructed to seek external counselling. Beale was sent home from South Africa along with Cooper Vuna after a late-night incident on the team bus ended with him punching Vuna and the Rebels captain, former Wales No 8 Gareth Delve.

This is not Beale’s first drink-related infraction and there is no guarantee that he will be accepted back into the Wallaby fold. His absence would diminish the Australia back-line’s strike-power.

If no one can dispute his on-field talent — Beale is adept at full-back and fly-half — there are many who raise questions about his off-field temperament. Even though he was the victim in the fracas, Delve said that he would have no issues in lining up alongside Beale in the future.

Delve had reportedly asked Beale to put his shirt back on as the team bus returned to the squad’s Durban hotel following a post-match drink in the city. Beale took exception, struck Delve and then Vuna who tried to intervene.

“I’m a professional rugby player and for the most part my relationship with Kurtley is excellent,” Delve said. “There were factors on the night that aren’t going to be an issue for the future. It’s not something that I can’t get past. I’m more than willing to play alongside Kurtley. I’m sure things will be sorted.”

Delve said he took responsibility for the Rebels players going to a bar because he went against the initial advice of coach Damien Hill that they should stay at the hotel following a record 64-7 defeat by the Sharks.

Beale was in trouble last year after he was allegedly involved in an altercation with a security guard after he and Wallabies teammate Quade Cooper were refused entry to a Brisbane pub. He was granted bail to attend mediation after appearing in court charged with common assault.

The Australian Rugby Union said the back had agreed he needed to deal with his off-field issues before returning to the game. It said Beale had also accepted a substantial fine over the South African incident.

“The unfortunate matter in South Africa was not an isolated incident for Kurtley,” ARU chief executive Bill Pulver said. “He understands it was unacceptable and, most critically, acknowledges he needs to make changes.”