Kurtley Beale will reportedly become the highest-paid player in England next year, having signed a deal with Wasps worth almost $1.5 million a season.
Beale will leave the Waratahs after months of speculation and head to Coventry for two seasons, leaving the door open to a possible return to Australia for Super Rugby before the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Under Australian Rugby’s new eligibility laws, Beale will still be able to play in every Wallabies Test match, having played nine full seasons of Super Rugby and 60 games for Australia. He’s expected to add to that tally this season, considering his current form for the Waratahs at inside centre.
More recently, the deal was being put under the microscope, with two other prominent players, Quade Cooper and Leigh Halfpenny also looked at as options for English clubs, but the Daily Telegraph has the scoop that Beale has signed and will be making the move.
Beale’s deal puts him right up there in the money list for rugby players, and considering his age and form line, it’s not entirely undeserving.
He will be the best-paid of any player in the English Premiership, and his salary will come close to that of Matt Giteau and Leigh Halfpenny, both of whom are on big money on the continent.
It probably comes nowhere near Dan Carter’s monstrous figure, however, but still places Beale in elite company. It’s a tribute to some of the fantastic rugby he’s played domestically and internationally in the last 24 months.
What it will do the for the Waratahs’ credentials is uncertain. Fullback Andrew Kellaway is developing nicely and Israel Folau playing well at outside centre, so they have plenty of strike available. But Beale has played the role of unleashing the Tahs’ attack, so his absence may put a higher load on Bernard Foley.
Either way, it appears Kurtley will not be plying his trade domestically for the next two years, so enjoy him while you can.
ClarkeG
Guest
Peter you just keep reinforcing my point. You wrote the comments yet it is me that has an agenda?
PeterK
Roar Guru
once again you choose literally and wish to view it as the worst. I was being lazy in the subpost (i.e indented under the original post) that I could not be bothered putting in all the qualifiers. If read with the whole thread it is obvious the same set of people are being referenced. But you have an agenda to make it seem worse than it is.
Boz the Younger
Guest
"... let’s be honest and praise KB commitment and passion for Aus Rugby over the last few years, he deserves every opportunity that he has created for himself." Lets be honest that he is a bit of a grub who got lucky by having incredible rugby genes and a place in the most influential team within the Australian rugby establishment, and consequently has been mollycoddled in a way that no other player would be. He is entitled to do what he wants with his talent but those getting all teary-eyed about his "well earned" success, are only deluding themselves.
ClarkeG
Guest
Peter do you really want to play this game. Where did I say that you said “all NZers”. You did say “a lot on this site” however then you extended that to “a lot of kiwis”. Create whatever diversions you like including claiming that I am pretending but my perception that your comments in this regard are churlish remains.
Boz the Younger
Guest
No of course the players are entitled to do what they want, it is their life, but I think that Kafer was making that point in the wrong way by trying to establish some sort of moral equivalence between players and fans.
Jerry
Guest
I don't dismiss Cheika's abilities, but following up more exaggerated hyperbole with more exaggerated hyperbole (as Peter did) isn't a valid response, IMO. The simple answer is no one knows how either would do given the other's hand. And seeing as both countries are happy with their respective coaches, we don't really need to worry. Let's just enjoy the upcoming battle.
PeterK
Roar Guru
I never said all nzers on this site did I? You seem to omit qualifiers and wish to take things as absolute so you can pretend faux outrage or have a dig at me.
PeterK
Roar Guru
correlation does not mean causation. The european clubs with their new broadcast deals and the aust dollar dropping 25% and GFC being over are spending a lot more. So if more money is being than ever before I do not see the 60 caps being the big influence.
John R
Roar Guru
Jerry - fair points, and given Hanno's record compared to other blokes that have run the AB's, it's well founded. But I think the crux of this point is: how would Cheika go if he was calling the shots with the AB's cattle? Would he do as well, worse or better than Stevey Hansen has? Side point, on Hansen as an individual, I'm a big fan of that bloke. Love his demeanour in interviews, the way he conducts himself in public, the genuine respect he gives his opposition, the friendship he and the AB's have fostered with the 'Boks. I feel that Cheika is moving Australia back towards playing the game in that spirit, and I'm chuffed on that (having a beer after the game and all of that good stuff), and can't wait for it to be bedded in to the culture. Plus I met Hansen at Turf bar down here in Melbourne, god knows what he was doing there, but he was smashing the 5 dollar pints and enjoying himself, happy to take photo's with everyone and all that. What a good bloke.
John R
Roar Guru
You got any sources to back that up Bakkies? Here's some light reading supporting my point, http://www.joeybarton.com/inevitable-death-englands-national-team/ Not saying you're wrong, but you're just chucking out some info right now, and I'd be keen to be proven wrong.
John
Guest
You still seem bitter Bakkies. Has today's official announcement that Beale has become the highest paid player in the history of English Rugby sent you over the edge? Maybe take a Valium before you digest the fact he'll still be playing for the Wallabies as well for many years to come!
John
Guest
Pocock's leaving too, his ARU salary will be topped up by an overseas deal.
Jerry
Guest
"anyone could win with the talent nz has" Not everyone could win as much, not everyone could go a full season undefeated and not everyone could win a RWC in dominant fashion.
taylorman
Guest
"cheika was coach of the year" yes he was. And why was he? For getting the best results? No.He got it for taking an existing dysfunctional unit and turned them around, which he fully deserved. But will he win it for the same reason this year? No. He needs to show theres more to his bow than a bit of smartening up a tired act. He needs to show he can select new players, identify young up and coming talent. He said he was 'furious' at the Beale lure. Yet he responds to that by saying he will select overseas players, virtually rubber stamping the approval for players that qualify to go. If he goes into the RC with no new caps already vs England the W's will be in big trouble.
Bakkies
Guest
All official now sorry David http://www.wasps.co.uk/news/article/2016/05/13/wasps-sign-wallaby-kurtley-beale
Utah
Guest
Maybe Peter. I guess we'll never know the answer to that. But Giteau's Law has coincided with the biggest exodus I've ever seen. If it's not partly to blame then it's a big coincidence.
Bakkies
Guest
Even John would have paid to watch that
Bakkies
Guest
That's if you are prepared for red eye. The bladder will struggle to cope with all that sport. I spent well over a grand at the pub during the RWC.
Bakkies
Guest
That is the fact look up his off field wrap back prior to when he left the first time. It's available online. Life of the party? What's that got to do with Beale's disciplinary record?
ClarkeG
Guest
Peter I find your comment re NZers on this site churlish to say the least. I for one hope Aust rugby is strong. NZ Rugby needs Aust Rugby to be strong. Rugby in this region needs both countries to be strong.I want to see Aust retain its best players. I want to see the NZ teams take on the Aust teams with their best players. I would not be happy at all to see Aust not qualify for a RWC.