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Rebels Kurtley Beale and Cooper Vuna sent home from South Africa after alleged fight on bus
- by:Leo Schlink in Durban
- From:Herald Sun
- March 24, 20135:46PM
Kurtley Beale in action training with the Rebels in Durban last week. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images
Cooper Vuna posted on his Twitter account that he was punched by Beale. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images
WALLABIES Kurtley Beale and Cooper Vuna will be sent home from South Africa after an alleged late-night fight.
The Melbourne Rebels team-mates faced a hastily-convened investigation after revelations the pair clashed on a bus trip to the team hotel early this morning.
It has since emerged Beale and Vuna struck each other, while Beale is also alleged to have hit Melbourne captain Gareth Delve.
In a sign of high tensions, Beale and Vuna have been booked to fly back to Australia on separate flights later today.
Both players face heavy punishment after breaching club guidelines in terms of accepted behaviour and use of social media.
In a round of swift recrimination, coach Damien Hill turned the blowtorch on his leadership group after it ignored his suggestion to stay at the team hotel after the match rather than going out.
"This club has and will always be forthwith with any crisis," Hill said.
"Both Kurtley and Cooper have broken team behaviour protocols with violent behaviour in a public place while representing the Rebels.
"They cannot be with the team until adequate disciplinary action is met.
"I shouldn't need to endorse curfews on adults, I endorse responsibility and common sense.
"The behaviour of certain players has eroded my belief in their seriousness as professional athletes.
"The position and effectiveness of our leadership group will now be questioned.
"This club will no longer tolerate this sort of behaviour, now, or in the future. That is one thing I will deliver on.
"I am gutted and embarrassed for everyone associated with building this club.
"There has been and continues to be a lot of good people working hard to ensure the club steps up. Those people need reassuring that their hard work is appreciated and not in vain."
One of Australia's best players, Beale was exposed on Twitter by Vuna.
Vuna made several posts on Twitter claiming he was punched, subsequently revealing his alleged assailant as Beale.
"I need to leave right now, this ain't for me! I tried to help someone but got punched so instead of putting him in hospital il (sic) leave!" Vuna posted .
The tweets were later deleted, but Melbourne is likely to pursue the matter with Vuna.
The incident is believed to have started as the team bus returned from a nightspot near Kings Park - site of the Rebels' 64-7 drubbing - to the team hotel in Umhlanga.
News Limited understands an argument developed between Beale and Delve after Delve ordered Beale to put his shirt back on before the bus reached the hotel.
Reports suggest that after getting off the bus, Beale continued to be verbally abusive towards Delve before Vuna intervened.
Vuna and Delve were then allegedly struck or slapped by Beale.
Vuna is said to have retaliated, felling Beale, as team-mates attempted to separate the pair.
Neither player was injured.
A Twitter user, named @heart-Madrid, asked Vuna if his alleged assailant "was drunk", the Rebels wing replied: "Hmmmmm his name is @kurtley-beale bloody grub!"
Beale did not play for Melbourne against the Sharks because of a fractured left hand.
Club officials travelling with the team launched an immediate investigation.
It was decided to banish Beale and Vuna as the club reels from the worst performance in its three-year history.
Officials interviewed Beale and Vuna and also heard from teammates and a former South African military figure who travels in a security role with the team.
Beale faces assault allegations arising from an incident at a Brisbane night spot last year, in which he was alleged to have struck a bouncer.
The case was sent to mediation late last month, with the first session to take place on April 17.
The Australian Rugby Union postponed a disciplinary process concerning Beale until the police matter was resolved, meaning he remains available for Super Rugby and Test matches.
Beale has recently been weighing up his future with Melbourne amid reports the wayward star wants to return to Sydney to play for either the Waratahs or switch to rugby league after this year's British and Irish Lions Tour.