Heartbreak for recalled Wallaby Beale with fears of career-ending injury
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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What these stats actually seem to show is that there isn't a massive about of variation in the number of cards/penalties conceded by the top teams.
South Africa received 13 yellow cards in 13 matches; Ireland received 11 in 12; New Zealand received 11 in 14. The difference is pretty immaterial.
In terms of penalties, SA conceded 131 in 13 matches; England conceded 111 in 12. Considering England had the best record of anyone, SA are hardly far off the pace.
Go to commentsThe boy needs to bulk up if wants to play 10 or 11 to handle those hits, otherwise he could always make a brilliant reserve for the wings if he stays away from the stretcher.
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