Kurtley Beale is hoping to have his future at the NSW Waratahs sorted very soon but for now the playmaker’s focus is on taking down Super Rugby surprise packets the Lions.
The Waratahs’ No.12 admits he is pleased with the way contract negotiations have progressed ahead of Saturday’s (Sunday morning AEST) clash with the Lions in Johannesburg.
“Let’s just say that all things are looking positive,” Beale told AAP.
The Waratahs are undergoing a huge overhaul as they prepare for the departure of coach Michael Cheika who will move exclusively to the Wallabies with assistant Daryl Gibson taking over as head coach from 2016.
“He’s (Gibson) a guy that’s helped me a lot along the way to try and develop my game and hopefully we can get something sorted soon on my future,” he said.
Beale, who returned to the Waratahs in 2014 after a stint with Melbourne, plays his 100th game for NSW this weekend.
“It’s a very proud moment for me and my family. It’s a credit to the staff at the Waratahs who have helped guide me and I can’t thank them enough … it’s been a fantastic journey so far,” he said.
The match is viewed by many, including Beale, as a danger game with the Lions having made a habit of feasting on rivals who have underestimated them this year.
They sit second on the South African conference and just two points behind leaders the Stormers with just three rounds remaining.
“They are a very unpredictable team with a lot of X-factor in their forwards and backs,” Beale said.
“When you play against the Lions, teams might get a bit complacent and think they are easybeats but watching them over the last couple of weeks, they have been very good and very consistent in the way they play.”
The Lions come into the game after belting the Cheetahs 40-17.
That followed a 30-20 loss to the Brumbies, a game which might provide a blueprint for the Waratahs to topple the Lions.
“‘Cheik’ has given us a really good understanding of how they are going to play and we’ve got a very good plan on how we are going to combat them,” he said.
It’s a massive game for the Waratahs after they were bumped from top spot in the Australian conference on Friday night by the Brumbies who defeated the Bulls 22-16 in Canberra.
The Brumbies lead the Waratahs by one point with the winner of the conference guaranteed a spot in the finals.
NSW are without the suspended Tolu Latu and Will Skelton for their lifting tackle on Sam Whitelock, as well as Test hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau, who is being rested after his second concussion this season.
Jacques Potgieter returns from injury, but this remains a huge task for the defending Super Rugby champions, against a Lions outfit that needs to win to stay in the race for finals.
Squirrel
Roar Rookie
Why did KB get a new contract. He is terrible, only excels against poor teams
peter hughes
Guest
Yes I agree with your KB & QC comments. Quade's defense has improved from bad 2 yrs ago to now pretty good & reliable. He started for Reds last night after 3 months out & turned them into a potent team in a thrashing of the Force. Even Genia looked good for a change. KB is just going downhill fast imo.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen NSW
Guest
No sweat Peter. So true that the Wallabies could do with a long range and accurate boot, probably even more so this time around up North for the RWC. I get the heeby jeebies when I see one of our guys give away a dumb Axse penalty against a team with an ace kicker. I mean it's like money for jam for them. It seems a mystery to many of us as to why, in the country where AFL is so strong, Rugby isn't banging field goals and conversions from all over the damn park. Maybe we need a man in a white coat and hat to stand under the goal posts and we'd be right?
PeterK
Roar Guru
sorry I misses the Tahs qualification, I glossed over it and thought Wallabies since they need those skills as well. I am a tahs supporter not rebels so Beale is my man sorry to say. I have been very disappointed with Beales form this year. Also he has had many years to fix his deficiencies like his tackling and poor passing to his right. He never has. Contrast that to QC who worked hard on his tackling.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen NSW
Guest
Peter - No question about it, your man is absolutely killing it at the Rebels. PK, Are we talking about for the Tahs or Wallabies here? By the way apologies on calling KB a 13. What was I thinking? Not sure if it was one of those senior moments or just confusion over where he stands on the field. Neither are really an excuse. So who knows?
PeterK
Roar Guru
then pick Debrazceni he kicks further and better than Beale in both general play and goal kicking
Blinky Bill of Bellingen NSW
Guest
When Kurtley starts to thank someone for the help that they have given him, it makes me wonder 'where does he start and where does he stop'? I wonder if other players get helped nearly as much. On his current form - He's certainly not where you'd want your regular 13 to be at in attack or defense. But I sense he is gradually getting there. I've spotted that he's more active in defense and and even pulls off the occasional decent tackle. Last week I spotted him shadowing and trying to be in position to receive a pass. Unfortunately too many bodies blocking him. Kicking - The Tahs could really do with a player who can hoof that ball way down field and set us up for the line out. We need a cannon and currently Foley is a pop gun. Also someone accurately landing the long range penalty goals would give us another threat for other teams to worry about. KB used to have a long and accurate boot. Start practicing KB and make yourself indispensable.
PeterK
Roar Guru
I would not offer him a contract
Peter Hughes
Guest
K Beale's form has been POOR all season imo. He's become very error prone, unreliable, kicks poorly far to often & does little in attack anymore. Then there's the behaviour issues on top. He's no great buy for the Tahs imo & wouldn't make my Wallaby RWC squad on current form.