A line has been drawn under the ugly affair which blighted Australian rugby at the back end of 2014 with the ARU confirming a claim made against it by former Wallabies team manager Di Patston has been settled out of court.
Patston was at the centre of the texting scandal involving Kurtley Beale that emerged late last year. It ended with her resignation from the international set-up amid claims she felt “bullied” into silence after being sent an offensive image in June by the Australian fly-half.
Beale was eventually fined $45,000 by the ARU for his role but, after an initial standing down, remained available for Wallabies selection on their subsequent tour to Europe.
Patston, who said the affair had an impact on her health and left her feeling “degraded”, was to have her claim heard in the federal circuit court.
The governing body expressed its regret over the affair but indicated a desire to move on. “The ARU and Ms Patston have reached mutual agreement in relation to the matter in the interests of all parties,” the ARU said in a statement.
“The ARU recognises the distress caused to Ms Patston and her family and friends in relation to the events of last year and sincerely regrets that this occurred. The ARU wishes Ms Patston well in her future and thanks her for her diligent service at the ARU from August 2013 to October 2014 as Wallaby team business manager.”
The ARU added that they now considered the matter to be fully resolved and neither party would be making any further comment.
