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Kurtley Beale is undoubtedly the most talented, controversial and well-known figure in Australian rugby union today.
However, his recent off field behaviour has placed him under the media spotlight and has since tarnished his reputation.
Beale, in April, was suspended from the Super Rugby club the Melbourne Rebels, after assaulting captain Gareth Delve and teammate Cooper Vuna on a boozy night out in Durban.
After serving his suspension with the Melbourne side he broke his commitment he made with the franchise, by drinking on two occasions and since then has undergone a brief stint in rehab for alcohol related issues.
Beale has allegedly turned the corner, ‘feting up to his ongoing struggle with alcohol abuse and admitting he has a problem could just be the best ‘play’ of his career thus far.
The St. Joseph’s College schoolboy prodigy was always destined to play professionally, signing with the Waratahs at only sixteen, and has been a standout in Australian Rugby ever since.
Wallabies legend Glen Ella puts it simply; “he’s been blessed with the talent and part of that comes [with] responsibility to be a role model – not just for Aboriginal kids but young kids all over Australia.”
However, the pressures of being an Australian sporting icon seem to have boiled over in recent months, and has resulted in a much-publicised fall from grace. Beale, in the position he is in within society, has become a role model for the young and aspiring of our country.
More importantly however, he is seen as an iconic figure in the eyes of the Indigenous community.
Unlike the NRL and AFL, Kurtley stands on a lonely pedestal in terms of Indigenous players, and as of late, his ego is writing cheques his actions cannot cash, and his reputation cannot afford.
Modern day knuckleheads would say alcohol, violence and flirting with the law is part of the NRL, but rugby union, contrastingly, has a relativity clean reputation to uphold.
It is clear that Beale has had a tough time of late, and needs more support than meets the eye.
Originally hailing from the Western Suburbs of Sydney and playing rugby league in his childhood, Kurtley has struggled to fit into the upper class culture of rugby union.
Whether he is a protected species or not, his talent is worth the effort and over the past few months the ARU, Robbie Deans and the Melbourne Rebels have wrapped him in cotton wool.
Beale was recently labeled a “national treasure” by head of the ARU Bill Pulver, which is perhaps an unworthy title.
Beale is certainly a hero to some, and many admire the path he has paved for himself and for young aspiring Indigenous kids, who want nothing more than to follow in his footsteps.
But he should not be ‘treasured’ just yet. With the Wallabies clash against the All Blacks on the 17th of August fast approaching, Australians are desperate to forget the sorrows of the Lions Tour and start again with Ewen Mckenzie.
After displaying patches of brilliance against the rampant Lions, Beale is now under pressure to retain his position as fullback and prove that he is not a toxic addition to the campaign.
Beale has the potential to be the x-factor in the Wallabies line-up and wow the nation with his fancy footwork and tenacity as a rugby player.
It goes without saying that the average Australian wants to forget the Pommies and turn their attention to having a crack at the kiwis and Beale might just be the secret ingredient.
The code often finds it hard to control the big names and with rumours of Israel Folau returning to league in the next few years, and the loss of bobble head figures like Sonny Bill Williams, the games public profile is in limbo.
For Kurtley, his future is uncertain. There has been talk of him signing with the Waratahs next season, and even interest from NRL side St. George Illawarra after his recent fallout, but currently his welfare stands above his pay cheque.
Whatever the outcome may be, the code should consider itself lucky to have Beale because when he’s at his best, he has the pulling power to be the face of rugby union.
Beale has a choice.
He can either slip back into the shadows of nightclubs and become the player that had ‘all the talent in the world’ who never fulfilled his obvious potential, or he can be the comeback kid our nation craves, and prove to Australia that he’s one of the best we’ve got.
Kurtley, it’s up to you mate.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.