The text message which could end Kurtley Beale's career
As Kurtley Beale's Australian rugby career hangs in the balance, the contents of the lewd text messages he sent have been revealed.
The ARU sent Beale a letter with the details of the two messages making reference to Wallabies business manager Di Patson. The messages included images of "extremely obese women" accompanied with the words "Di — who wants a go f...... this?”
It is reported that the text messages were sent to other Wallabies' teammates in June and Beale had accidentally copied Patson into the messages.
The letter to Beale from ARU General Counsel Richard Hawkins reads: “I refer to my earlier conversation with your manager, Isaac Moses, in relation to the distribution by you of texts which contained photos referencing ARU employee Di Patston. The texts were distributed in June this year. We received them from Ms Patston yesterday.
“The texts are not attached to this letter as, understandably, Ms Patston is extremely sensitive about them being circulated electronically. But as you will be aware: two of them contain photos of extremely obese women: one is accompanied by the caption ‘Di’, the other by the caption ‘Di — who wants a go f....... this?’ They are followed by a number of other texts where you apologise to Ms Patston for circulating them.
“We consider the distribution of the texts to be a serious breach of Section 3 of the ARU Code of Conduct. We would, however, like to discuss with you and Isaac options for dealing with this matter which take into account its particular sensitivities and the interests of all involved.”
Patson and Beale engaged in a well-publicised mid-flight confrontation on the team's recent trip to South America, resulting in Patson going on stress leave and later resigning.
Senior Wallabies players Adam Ashley-Cooper and Michael Hooper reportedly approached coach Ewen McKenzie to encourage Beale to apologise.
After learning of a meeting between Beale and McKenzie, Patston then made an official complaint to the ARU which lead to Beale being issued with the letter.
Beale has been suspended indefinitely by the ARU and will face a code of conduct hearing over the issue. His ARU contract is expected to be terminated, with a move to the NRL or French Rugby most likely.