Beale, Cooper in bar incident

Brisbane - Wallaby stars Quade Cooper and Kurtley Beale were in hot water on Friday after an "incident" at a pub in Brisbane ahead of Australia's clash with Wales.

Media reports said the two players, who are close friends, were allegedly involved in an altercation with security guards after being asked to leave the Victory Hotel in the early hours of Friday morning.

Australian Associated Press said a scuffle broke out after the high-profile pair, who had previously left the venue, wanted to resume drinking but were denied access.

Some newspapers said Beale allegedly hit a security guard in the head and police were called but no arrests were made at the time.

"We've been made aware of an incident overnight and are still making our own enquiries," an Australian Rugby Union spokesperson said.

"As a matter of process the issue will be referred to an ARU disciplinary review procedure. We have nothing further to add at this stage."

Cooper and Beale are not part of the Wallabies squad for the clash with Wales on Saturday. Cooper had been ruled out with a knee injury and Beale with shoulder problems.

The pair have been in trouble before when, along with fellow high-profile player James O'Connor, they were allegedly involved in an night-time incident in Paris on a Wallabies tour in 2010.

The players dismissed it at the time as "boys being boys" and the ARU took no action.

Team-mate Will Genia said he was aware of the latest claims, but did not know the details. He told the Sydney Morning Herald that fans and children looked up to rugby players, who had a responsibility to behave properly.

"It's important to send the right message to kids about what's right and what's wrong, what to do and what not to do and to live that rather than send the wrong messages," he said.