No Wallabies call up for Beale, yet

Editor

Kurtley Beale will not join the Wallabies on their five-game European tour despite being cleared for selection on Friday.

Kurtley Beale will not join the Wallabies on their five-game European tour despite being cleared for selection by a disciplinary hearing on Friday.

After a four-hour hearing, the Waratahs playmaker was found guilty of sending an offensive text message to an ARU employee and fined AUS$45,000 by an Australian Rugby Union code of conduct tribunal.

The 25-year-old was however cleared to return to the playing field but word from the Wallabies camp is that he will not be rushed to London ahead of next weekend’s clash against the Barbarians at Twickenham.

On Saturday an ARU spokesman said Beale had spoked to newly-appointed coach Michael Cheika and will remain on standby for now.

“From time to time there are changes to personnel during tours, due to injury or other matters, and we will advise if there are any changes to this position,” said the spokesman.

“Beale has been under a lot of pressure and stress,” Cheika told reporters upon arrival at Heathrow Airport.

“It’s a matter of him taking a step back and letting everything settle down at the moment, train and see how he feels.

“We’ve got depth in our back line, it’s not like a desperation move. I’m not even thinking about [bringing him in]. I was preparing for the fact he wasn’t going to be on the tour.

“I’ll speak to him, tell him to start training … get back to business as normal. I think a bit of normality is what everyone requires.

“The tribunal made its decision; Beale has the chance to play again, which is good. But he’s paid a heavy fine and heavy price, he’s missed a few [Tests] already.

“No one is really happy about anything. It’s dealt with and we’ll get on with playing footy.

“I’ve come in pretty late. I’ve spoken to all the players here and I’m confident in the guys we’ve got; it’s not like there’s any desperation or anything like that.”