Wallabies star Kurtley Beale has apologised to Rugby Australia for his involvement in a viral video in which a man snorts a white powder substance.

The video, believed to be recorded in 2016, featured NRL player Corey Norman filming an older man snorting an unknown substance off a plate, while Beale can then be seen laughing on camera.

Rugby Australia was apparently not aware of Beale’s involvement until it was recently posted on Facebook, while in a statement on Tuesday, Rugby AU CEO Raelene Castle said Beale had contacted her to apologise over the incident.

‘Rugby Australia only became aware of the video after it had surfaced on social media on Monday afternoon, and understands that it was recorded in 2016,’ she said.

‘After becoming aware that the video was being shared on social media, Kurtley contacted me last night to apologise for the negative attention the video had attracted and expressed regret at putting himself in a compromising position at that time.

‘Kurtley has today met with Rugby Australia’s Integrity Unit to provide his version of events, and the high standards that are expected of him as a professional rugby player have been firmly reiterated.

‘Kurtley acknowledges that his presence in the video and the humour he expressed at the incident at the time does not reflect the image that is expected of a professional rugby player.’