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Kurtley Beale's 'golden ticket' back into the Wallabies
By AAP
Kurtley Beale says he would love to play for the Wallabies again, and knows his golden ticket could be earned by guiding the Western Force into the Super Rugby Pacific finals.
Beale has made an immense impact at the Force since signing a short-term contract last month, with the side winning three of their five games since.
The 35-year-old has notched 95 caps for the Wallabies - the last in 2021 - but his international career looked over when he was stood down from rugby in January, 2023, after sexual assault allegations were levelled against him.
The veteran back was found not guilty in February this year.
Beale jumped at the chance to join the Force when coach Simon Cron came calling, and he hopes to work his way back into the Wallabies' set-up.
"Yeah absolutely. It's definitely a desire," Beale said on Monday.
"But I know I've just got to keep playing some footy now
"I'm doing that here at the Force and trying to have an impact here.
"Push the team to a final series is my main focus at the moment."
New Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt was on hand to witness Beale produce a masterclass when the Force destroyed Fijian Drua 48-10 in Perth a fortnight ago.
The Force followed it up with a 27-7 win over the Waratahs last week, with the result propelling them to within two points of eighth spot.
One more win could be enough to secure a finals berth, but they face a tough finish to the season with games against the fifth-placed Reds (away) and third-placed Brumbies (home).
Beale has had some brief chats with Schmidt about international selection and the message has been clear: Get lots of rugby under your belt.
Although most 35-year-olds have already retired from international rugby, Beale is feeling fresh and has more to give.
"I think being out (for that period) has enabled me to put a lot of focus on my physical and mental wellbeing," Beale said.
"I've trained a lot, I did a lot of mental work in terms of making sure I'm in the right headspace.
"And being away from the game, it actually made me appreciate the game a lot more, which is really nice.
"I'm just absolutely loving being back playing rugby."
Beale's contract at the Force runs out at the end of the season.
But with Beale enjoying life living near Cottesloe beach, he indicated he would love to keep playing with the Force next season.
"It's a beautiful city, Perth," Beale said.
"It's a great club here. Great people within it and everyone's all wanting to push for success.
"If things work out, that'd be great. But my focus is just trying to push the team for the final series, and it's an exciting challenge."
Beale's wife is due to give birth to their second child on Wednesday.
Despite the chaotic days ahead, he is confident he'll be available for Saturday night's crunch clash with the Reds in Brisbane.
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Latest Comments
No he's just limited in what he can do. Like Scott Robertson. And Eddie Jones.
Sometimes it doesn't work out so you have to go looking for another national coach who supports his country and believes in what he is doing. Like NZ replacing Ian Foster. And South Africa bringing Erasmus back in to over see Neinbar.
This is the real world. Not the fantasy oh you don't need passion for your country for international rugby. Ask a kiwi, or a south african or a frenchman.
Go to commentsDont complain too much or start jumping to conclusions.
Here in NZ commentators have been blabbing that our bottom pathway competition the NPC (provincial teams only like Taranaki, Wellington etc)is not fit for purpose ie supplying players to Super rugby level then they started blabbing that our Super Rugby comp (combined provincial unions making up, Crusaders, Hurricanes, etc) wasn't good enough without the South African teams and for the style SA and the northern powers play at test level.
Here is what I reckon, Our comps are good enough for how WE want to play rugby not how Ireland, SA, England etc play. Our comps are high tempo, more rucks, mauls, running plays, kicks in play, returns, in a game than most YES alot of repetition but that builds attacking skillsets and mindsets. I don't want to see world teams all play the same they all have their own identity and style as do England (we were scared with all this kind of talk when they came here) World powerhouse for a reason, losses this year have been by the tiniest of margins and could have gone either way in alot of games. Built around forward power and blitz defence they have got a great attack Wingers are chosen for their Xfactor now not can they chase up and unders all day. Stick to your guns its not far off
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