By Darren Walton
November 28th 2009 @ 1:35am
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Teenage prodigy Beale finally arrives in a Test
Earmarked years ago as a future superstar, Kurtley Beale will make his long-awaited Wallabies debut on Saturday after earning a place on the bench for the spring tour finale against Wales at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium.
Australian captain Rocky Elsom vividly recalls the 2006 winter’s day when the cocky Year 11 student from Sydney’s St Joseph’s College swanned into Wallabies camp in Coffs Harbour looking destined to make it to the top.
“Everyone was very surprised. He wasn’t even in the last year of school and he came along and he was sort of tall, but not as thick as he is now, but tall and he just slid straight in,” Elsom said on Thursday.
“His skills were very sharp. We would run reasonably difficult drills, but he was fine with it.
“He didn’t seem very shy at all but, knowing him now, he was putting on a pretty big front.”
Almost inevitably, after a dream schoolboys career, Beale proved an instant hit in his first few Super 14 games for the NSW Waratahs, one particular chip-and-cash try against the Cheetahs in South Africa confirming his special talents.
But then, Beale now admits, the hype got to him and he began to lag behind as Quade Cooper, his great schoolboy rival from Queensland, got the jump on him, making his Wallabies debut on last year’s spring tour.
“Yeah, it was a little difficult at times,” Beale said. “I might have tried too hard at times.
“But I’ve learned over the years now and, particularly on this tour, I’ve learned a lot about not jumping out of my shell, not trying to go for the big play all the time.”
Beale also battled weight problems and suffered in the face of the intense public spotlight, never more so than when he was charged with drink-driving in 2006.
But, after shedding several kilos, Beale has impressed Wallabies coach Robbie Deans this tour with a classy game at fullback in the Wallabies’s midweek win over Gloucester and then even more so with his two-try effort playing as a makeshift winger in Tuesday night’s 31-3 rout of Cardiff.
“I seem him as having a big future now for sure,” Deans said after handing the 20-year-old his first cap on Thursday.
“He’s worked really hard on this tour with his conditioning and he’s evidently changed shape and he’s feeling better for it.
“He’s bringing that enthusiasm to the game. He’s getting involved and, when he does get involved, he’s one of those players who offers a lot.
“He takes the ball to the line, he’s got good vision, he made some good decisions around carry and kick the other night, and he also gets himself into a good defensive position.
“So, if he can maintain his physical state over the summer, next year should be a big year for him.
“But prior to that, he’s got a big day on Saturday. It’s a big day in his life.”
Usually a five-eighth, Beale says he’d happy to forge an international career as a backline utility after mastering wing in his first-ever game on the flank.
“It’s a massive honour to represent your country. It has always been a dream,” he said.
“”I’m very happy to be a part wherever I can help.”
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The Other Reds Fan. said | November 28th 2009 @ 7:14pm | Report comment
Play Beale and perhaps people, including myself, will start watching the game again if he is allowed to play “what is in front of him”.
Parisien said | November 29th 2009 @ 12:55am | Report comment
Interesting article and a good read. I think we’d all really like to see Beale deliver on the talent and promise he shows. I hope he continues to stay fit and motivated and to develop as a player and person, he could be a key player over the next ten years if it all goes well and he works hard. I’d hate to see him go to league.