Ewen McKenzie's preparations for the Bledisloe Cup were already wobbling in the aftermath of reports of the Australia board being up a financial creek and the suspension of Kurtley Beale, but at a press conference to announce the squad he found himself being dragged into the feeding frenzy. So much so, that it took 17 minutes before any question was asked about Quade Cooper's return.
Beale was stood down amid allegations he sent "deeply offensive" texts about a team official in June and abused one of the back-room staff on a flight last month. Although the victim has not been named, it is widely reported in the Australian media as being Di Patston, the team's business manager.
Questions on Beale's suspension were expected but things quickly turned frosty with a suggestion that Patston's relationship with McKenzie caused friction in the squad.
"I've got a professional relationship with her and I refute that," he said, barely manager to contain his anger. "There are people out there and there's some sort of campaign to impugn that that's the situation. I've got a professional relationship with her and that's all."
He was also forced to deny claims he knew about the original messages in June, four months before they were brought to the attention of Australian board officials. "I became aware of the existence of the text messages in Buenos Aires [last week]. I know the content, I haven't seen the photos. When I became aware of it I forwarded the information on."
It has been suggested that the Beale situation has become divisive in the Wallabies camp but McKenzie insisted that was not the case. "I don't think I have a divided camp. I know there's been lots of talk in the newspapers and everyone's got an opinion, but I know the playing group."
"I've been open and frank in my time so if there's an issue, obviously we'll flesh them out."
He expressed his unhappiness the Beale incident had become such a big distraction. "I'm annoyed because in the end we're trying to run a football programme and it's got sidetracked in many different ways. It's frustrating but there is a challenge to get that back on track. I'll accept that challenge and get on with it."