British and Irish Lions fans were given a good laugh by Wallaby and Super 15 star Kurtley Beale, who was sent home from South Africa after allegedly punching two team-mates, including his Rebels captain Gareth Delve.
Beale is expected to be picked for the Australian side to play the Lions in June.
The Melbourne Rebels had been humiliated 64-7 by the Sharks in Durban just hours before the incident.
Beale and fellow Rebel Cooper Vuna were sent home to Melbourne on different flights.
Beale has a history of off-field problems, most alcohol related and some serious. No matter what the outcome, Beale’s international future is in doubt. If the Wallabies can find someone—possibly the Brumbies Jesse Mogg—Beale will go.
Beale and fellow Wallaby stars Quade Cooper and James O'Connor are known as “The Three Amigos,” because of their penchant for off-field trouble.
Each year their fans wait in vain for better behaviour.
Already this year, Beale is down ... hopefully that’s it. (Though Lions fans will want the two other amigos to topple as well.)
That will bring added pressure onto O'Conner and Cooper, particularly from the media. Despite their swagger, the three don’t handle pressure well.
O'Connor plays for the Rebels and Cooper for the Reds, where he is crucial to their success.
Peter Lalanaabaravi is a rugby writer with over 30 years experience.
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