Kurtley Beale appears to have overcome the first hurdle but an internal disciplinary inquiry could still stand between him and selection for Australia’s second Test against Wales.
Beale trained with the Wallabies reserves and a group of local schoolboys in Melbourne on Monday as he bids for a return to the Test side following minor shoulder surgery.
The fullback-turned-five-eighth didn’t appear to be troubled by the shoulder in the non-contact session, while the majority of the starting side which beat Wales in Brisbane last Saturday trained in the Visy Park gym.
But his return to the side to be named on Tuesday for Saturday’s second Test in Melbourne could come down to an Australian Rugby Union inquiry into his alleged involvement in an incident at a Brisbane pub last week.
While awaiting a police investigation into the incident in which Beale allegedly assaulted a bouncer while out with injured teammate Quade Cooper, the ARU is conducting its own inquiry.
If cleared on fitness and disciplinary fronts, Beale would come back into the team on the bench, at best, after Berrick Barnes’ authoritative display at five-eighth in Australia’s 27-19 first Test win.
Coach Robbie Deans has indicated he’ll stick to the first Test starting side, with Barnes at five-eighth and Adam Ashley-Cooper at fullback, keeping Beale on the bench.
Skipper David Pocock expects a much tougher Wales than the side which forced its way back from 20-6 down to 20-19 with 17 minutes to go in the first Test.
“They’re a classy side and they wouldn’t have been happy with last Saturday night,” Pocock said.
“We’re well aware we’ll be up against a much improved and hungrier Wales side this week.”
Despite the impressive turnaround following last Tuesday’s 9-6 loss to Scotland in Newcastle, Pocock said the Wallabies still have a lot of work to do.
“Some things were a bit rusty and we’re definitely not where we want to be,” he said.
“But what you did see is a willingness to work for each other. That’s going to be crucial this Saturday.”
That willingness and depth was crucial as the Wallabies regained the ascendancy after Wales came back midway through the second half.
“The great thing for us was at 20-19 it was anyone’s game,” Pocock said.
“We put on some reserves who really added a lot and we were able to control the next 10 minutes. That was pleasing, but there’s plenty to work on.”
A hand injury to prop Sekope Kepu could force the only change to the starting team for the Etihad Stadium Test and earn Brumbies tight-head Dan Palmer a recall after his debut against the Scots.
sittingbison
Guest
the standard was set when the ARU essentially terminated the junior and inexperienced Matt Henjaks international career after a drunken binge with a senior player touring SA, I think it might have been Wendall Sailor being the senior player who escaped penalty?
peterlala
Guest
The old saying about Test matches is that players are tested on every level. This is more true nowadays than ever. The players live a rock-star lifestyle, but have to behave like choir boys. That's a big test. Wallaby coach Robbie Deans set a standard when he dropped James O'Connor for sleeping in on a non-match day. Now his own standard is about to be tested.
Wilson
Guest
I agree whole heartedly. I cringe whenever these 3 are in the media. They needed to be cracked down upon from day one. I heard through a mate in the Wallabies that the other senior players are amazed that these 3 get away with anything they want. They are referred to as the untouchables. How embarrassing for all involved. Value the jersey or give it to someone else. Your actions speak far louder than words.
Blue Blood
Guest
Until the ARU crack down hard on Beale and Cooper they will keep acting like loose young men. Their actions are very much Boys being Boys, but only if every day boys assault people and steal laptops. And they aren't boys, they are grown men representing Australia. Where is their self control and value shown for the jersey in their actions? Even before the assaults, what of the binge drinking while injured and supposedly working hard to get back into the Wallabies? Everyone is replaceable. These two and I consider The Brand in their posey too, need to be sanctioned when they play up. Without a severe wake up call they will continue to act like they are god's lift and untouchable. The fans and their rugby peers are over it.