The international career of the Wallabies utility back Kurtley Beale appears to be in tatters following an in-flight row with a team official which led to his dumping from the squad to play Argentina in their final Rugby Championship match this weekend.
New Zealand's Ben Smith chases Australia's Kurtley Beale. Eden Park. 2014. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Beale, who has been on the bench in recent games, was left out of the matchday XXIII altogether for Sunday's match against the Pumas in Mendoza after the Australian Rugby Union confirmed their probe into the incident involving the team's female business manager, which occurred in transit from South Africa to Argentina.
Coach Ewen McKenzie was concerned that the incident had distracted the team's preparations, and the staff member had flown home early.
Beale is facing an Australian Rugby Union integrity unit investigation over the alleged incident.
The ARU said in a statement the matter had been referred to team management and Beale is facing disciplinary action.
The investigation centres around an alleged incident on the Wallabies' flight from South Africa to Brazil on Monday.
Beale isn't being sent home but the 47-Test star has been left out of the team for the Wallabies' Rugby Championship clash with Argentina in Mendoza on Sunday.
The ARU said all parties will be given a chance to present their side of the story.
Team bosses expect to wrap up the investigation by next week.
Beale has a history of off-field incidents.
Last year he was sent home from South Africa following a scuffle with Melbourne Rebels teammates Cooper Vuna and Gareth Delve.
He subsequently checked himself into rehab for alcohol related issues.
During last year's Wallabies series with the British and Irish Lions, Beale was photographed at a fast food joint in the early hours of the Wednesday before the Melbourne Test.