NSW Waratahs coach Michael Cheika is a lot more optimistic about fending off rugby league’s interest in his playmaking star Kurtley Beale than he was a month ago.
Cheika is confident Australia’s latest mauling by the All Blacks last Saturday won’t push Beale towards league, with his Waratahs and Australian Rugby Union (ARU) contract expiring at the end of this year.
Beale played a major role at inside centre in the Waratahs’ first Super Rugby title win.
He earned a Wallabies starting spot at five-eighth in the two Bledisloe Cup matches after coming off the bench for all three Tests against France in June.
The mercurial 44-Test back has never entirely ruled out switching to league, but Cheika is encouraged by what he has heard from the player.
“It looks like it’s going better so, hopefully, something is going to happen in the next week or two,” Cheika said.
“It’s being done with the ARU, but I’m hearing it from Kurtley so, hopefully, it will all work out.”
Cheika said there was still probably serious interest in 25-year-old Beale from rugby league.
But he hoped the 2015 Rugby World Cup and the Waratahs’ 2014 success would keep the gifted back in the 15-a-side code.
“I’m not taking it for granted because it never is until it’s signed, sealed and delivered,” Cheika said.
“But I’m a lot more positive now than I was about a month or so ago.”
Cheika said NSW still had four to five spots left on their 2015 roster.
His main recruitment priority is finding a replacement for Test lock Kane Douglas after his move to Irish side Leinster, a team Cheika used to coach.
“The squad is going to remain relatively constant apart from a bit of youth and maybe one or two surprises,” Cheika said.
He was looking for new Wallabies lock Will Skelton to step up and claim a starting spot after primarily being used off the bench this year. Cheika also needs to find a couple of outside backs with Alofa Alofa and Cam Crawford moving on.
He has already identified highly rated Australian under-20 winger Andrew Kellaway as a potential recruit.
Cheika revealed he was also looking at rugby league backs who had a union background, like Alofa did.
He said the Waratahs were likely to offer new contracts to back-rower Stephen Holies, prop Jeremy Tilse and halfback Brendan McKibbin.
sixo_clock
Roar Guru
If Pulver thinks KB should stay, can he explain why? Because he is what to Oz Rugby? All I see is a decent S15 player who didn't make the leap to test level. If anyone is thinking we are going to have easy wins against the Pumas, think again. They are playing skillful, fast, intimidating Rugby and just may promote the 'Boks into the lead by denying us and our cousins wins or bonus points. Last Saturday night. A team foxing, already celebrating. Link is not the man to take us anywhere, in his defence, probably too smart, he out-thinks himself and needs someone to tell him when to get real. My choice, Nobody, John has a lovely balance of humility and cold-bloodedness more than capable of sacking/benching those who undermine the team.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
I'm a Beale fan so I hope he stays, He wasn't done any favours against the ABs, he hadn't played at 10 all year. I would have preferred him to either play 12 or off the bench. Whatever happens Foley has to start at 10 and Phipps at 9. Maybe play Toomua at 12 for the first half and bring on Beale then. Lack of pace on the wings hasn't helped them either but Betham would be a good change. Nigel good rugby stock like Folau, Hunt, SBW, Thorne?
Nigel Imrie
Guest
KB can go to League for all I care, only interested in following players who have rugby at heart and who come from good rugby stock!! It's not about sulking if you don't make the test team, what a dud when he finally got what he wanted. You're a great player KB but a playmaker you are not!
Simon Bedard
Roar Pro
My thoughts precisely
Don
Roar Rookie
Pulver won't be letting his "National Treasure" go anywhere but the Tahs and on a beefed up ARU top up so that the Tahs don't have to outlay any more dollars for KB from their salary cap.
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
The Back 2 Back Attack has commenced.
T Bone
Guest
Oh well...looks like we will have Beale at number 10 for at least 2 weeks until he signs his contract. Great bench player - there is nothing wrong with that!