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Heartbreak for recalled Wallaby Beale with fears of career-ending injury
By AAP
Scans on Kurtley Beale are expected to confirm the recalled Wallabies veteran has ruptured his achilles, possibly bringing an end to his rugby career.
The 35-year-old, who was last week announced in Joe Schmidt's maiden 38-man squad, was helped from the field during a Sydney club rugby match on Saturday.
The utility back came off the bench for Randwick against Eastern Suburbs but went down untouched in the back-field.
A Wallabies spokesman said Beale he would go for scans on Monday, with an achilles injury suspected.
Beale was in line to make his return to the national side and add to his 95-Test career, having last played for the Wallabies in 2021.
Australia's first Test under new coach Schmidt is against Wales on Saturday at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, with a second match in Melbourne on July 13.
The Wales double-header will be followed by a one-off Test against Georgia in Sydney on July 20.
It's understood Beale was permitted to turn out for Randwick after being told he wouldn't face the Welsh next weekend.
He had returned to rugby this Super season with the Western Force after a 12-month stand-down by Rugby Australia following serious legal charges, of which he was cleared.
Having made his debut for Australia in 2008, Beale had said he hoped to press his selection claims for next year's series against the touring British and Irish Lions.
"I'm just super-excited to be amongst the guys again and really excited for the opportunity ahead," he said upon his Wallabies recall.
"It's been a while now but I'm ready to rip in.
"Although you'd think at the time it's a long shot, I always had a lot of self-belief."
Schmidt, who took over following Eddie Jones's disastrous World Cup campaign, will announce his matchday squad on Thursday.
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Latest Comments
It certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
Go to commentsHis best years were 2018 and he wasn't good enough to win the World Cup in 2023! (Although he was voted as the best player in the world in 2023)
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