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'I didn't see it coming': Beale relishing Wallabies call up with one eye on 2023
By AAP
Kurtley Beale hopes a SOS from Dave Rennie won't be a one-off as he plots a fourth Rugby World Cup appearance in the green and gold.
Beale is in contention to win his 93rd Wallabies cap when Australia take on Scotland on Monday (1.15am AEDT) after being rushed into Rennie's depleted outfit.
The 32-year-old was handed a call-up when injuries ruled out Tom Banks and Reece Hodge and a selection imbroglio led to Samu Kerevi and Quade Cooper withdrawing from the Spring Tour.
Now based in France with Racing 92, Beale hopes his recall is the start of a two-year run that will culminate in him matching George Gregan and Adam Ashley-Cooper by representing Australia at a fourth World Cup.
"Dave gave me a call, I didn't see it coming but I'm excited to be here," he said.
"I still felt that individually I could still add (to the group).
"I'm playing at Racing at the moment surrounded by some really good international players.
"So my hunger is still there to grow and to push myself against the best.
"Obviously with the Rugby World Cup in France in 2023, it's still a goal of mine and it (the Wallabies) is something I want to be a part of."
Beale's last performance in a Wallabies jersey was the 2019 World Cup quarter-final exit at the hands of England.
The Test veteran says the selections of Cooper and Kerevi made him motivated to return to a team that is on the up.
Australia are aiming for six straight wins under Rennie and Beale has noticed a marked change in the young players emerging under the New Zealander.
"The loss in the World Cup in '19 really hit home with me," he said.
"Being away from this environment you miss home a bit and you realise how special the Wallabies jersey is.
"There's a real brotherhood here. I haven't used that word in a while but it does really feel like you're in a family environment.
"There's a lot of respect thrown around and it's been a great opportunity for the new group to build their own identity."
Beale has his eyes on the No.15 jersey but may have to wait his turn with Andrew Kellaway the likely first drop in Edinburgh.
The former Waratahs star will be hoping for some involvement even if it's just to get one over Racing teammate Finn Russell and banish the memories of his last trip to Murrayfield when the Wallabies lost 53-24 in 2017.
"We were down to 14 men and that's always a difficult occasion," he said.
"Especially when you've got a miracle No.10 like Finn who loves to attack space.
"It was difficult to defend against a class Scottish attacking team.
"No doubt that'll be their mindset on the weekend so we've got to have things in place to combat that."
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It took a whole season to wash the Foster stink out to be fair. There's still been substantial change though. I think only 7 starters from the RWC QF v IRE started the IRE test in Dublin. This year wasn't the year for full innovation, transition needs to be balanced, & incremental. The new coaches will be able to stamp their full mark on the ABs from 2025 when Razor will select his first proper squad from a mega talented player pool. Exciting times ahead.
Go to commentsWhat on earth is Tele'a doing passing the ball away so quickly on his line break, like a fatty making a bust and trying to find a winger to give the ball to lol
The amount of inconsistency with the head contact law coming into the game. No red yesterday and no yellow today, but then another player gets a suspension for a side on headonhead (as apposed to these two sweet shoulders) contact last week. Happy if there is a referee change to having a bit more commensense.
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