23 Aug 2011

Wallabies World Cup plans undermined by allegations of drunken fight

6:19 am on 23 August 2011

Australia's Rugby World Cup campaign is in danger of being derailed by explosive allegations of a drunken fight last November in Paris between the Wallabies three most exciting backline stars.

On the day the ARU handed James O'Connor a one-match ban and a $10,000 suspended fine for missing last Thursday's World Cup squad announcement, it's been revealed the Union is investigating an incident in which O'Connor and Quade Cooper ganged up on their close friend and teammate Kurtley Beale in a late-night scuffle in the lead-up to the season-ending Test against France.

According to the Nine Network, the ARU began investigating the matter, involving the three normally inseparable friends, last weekend and their inquiries will continue today.

The Union was informed of the incident by the media, but no complaints were laid at the time.

The Nine Network also alleged Cooper and other players were on drinking bans following some misbehaviour at the start of the Wallabies spring tour in Hong Kong.

Robbie Deans is due to name his side this afternoon for this weekend's Tri-Nations decider against the All Blacks in Brisbane.