The Wallabies’ current malaise and the attention attracted by the renewed experiment with Kurtley Beale at flyhalf raises again the seemingly perennial question of where Beale best fits into a team crying out for his talents but seemingly unsure of where they belong.
Undoubtedly a once-in-a-generation player who seemingly embodies the essence of the game in a way few contemporary players do, Beale has the time, space and vision that players only of the highest ilk had, and he has it combined with the acceleration, agility and deft touch to execute things that mere mortals can only dream of.
In terms of his skill set, he is clearly in a similar league to Mark Ella and Stephen Larkham. Brazilian football folklore talk of the Malandro, the football sprite who lives and breathes the game. The Beale mythology, stemming from seemingly endless highlight reels from his days at St Joseph’s College in Sydney, filled with outrageous tries and outrageous skills for a schoolboy, elucidates this spirit.
However, after an extended run for both club and country at inside-centre, the movement of Beale back to flyhalf has raised once more the question of how his prodigious talents can best be utilised. After displacing Bernard Foley, Beale has once more shown he has little to offer as an international flyhalf.
(Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
The Wallabies’ current doldrums seemed the perfect moment for Beale to step into the No.10-shaped hole that has appeared in the wake of Bernard Foley’s loss of form. While Beale remains one of the few players in the Australian side with the creativity to unlock defences, he is stifled as the primary playmaker, often drifting across the field looking for runners who aren’t there.
Without Samu Kerevi’s line-bending presence at outside centre – probably for the rest of the year, too – the Wallabies lack foils to Beale’s artistic talents if Michael Cheika keeps selecting him at fly-half.
So two issues remain pertinent: who should be Australia’s first-choice flyhalf, and what is Beale’s best position? In a recent column for the Australian, Mark Ella discussed using Matt Tomua as first receiver during set plays, as he was well-versed in Stephen Larkham’s intricate set moves. But this doesn’t fix the disjointed Australian attack.
Foley, despite his downturn his form, appears to still be the best fit for Wallabies five-eighth. At his best his tendency to straighten the attack and pace to hold inside defenders gives a split-second of space to Australia’s outside backs. With Foley at the helm, Beale has more freedom to inject himself at the correct moment, using his terrifying acceleration and agility to create overlaps and pick off forwards caught out of position.
(AAP Image/David Moir)
While this may appear harsh to the in-form Dale Haylett-Perry, I feel Beale’s best position is at fullback for three reasons.
First, with Beale at No.15, his ability to chime into the backline at will gives the Australian side an unpredictability that has been missing for some time. With counterattacking rugby now at the forefront of most team plans, Australia hasn’t been able to replicate what used to previously be one of our fortes. This slight tweak would leave Israel Folau on the wing, but the thought of kicking to a counterattacking Beale, with the strong chance he would link with Folau on the wing, would give most teams moments to pause.
Second, Beale’s inclusion at fullback would enable Matt Toomua to maintain his place at inside centre, providing a solidity and abrasiveness in defence that Beale lacks.
Third, selecting Beale at fullback gives the Wallabies a third playmaker option, relieving Foley of the unwanted pressure the pedestrian Australian attack sometime places on him.
The 2015 World Cup saw Cheika use Beale as a late injection from fullback, sensationally demonstrating how effective Beale can be in the position. With the 2019 World Cup just under a year away, Kurtley’s talents would seem best suited for a return to the back.
waxhead
Guest
I agree. The Kiwi's would have taught him how to defend, kick and take the high ball well also.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Beale is in a unique position in terms of not really having a position though. The rest of those Australian players do have a position.
Atapene
Roar Rookie
Mckensie is still finding out where he plays, hes young. But Kaino is 6 and anywhere else he is filling in, come on. Nonu is a 12 once he developed there, you know what position he is whether or not he gets juggled round due to injury once in 70 matches.
RickyZ
Guest
I find it sad that a fantastic schoolboy rugby player is now much maligned. I have often wondered what would have happened if Beale went from school to one of the better NZ Super rugby teams, instead of the Tahs where he was so clearly a fish out of water. Imagine how Beale would have developed with the benefit of the Crusaders or Canes/Chiefs strong culture and playing with skilful experienced players to bring the best out of him. Instead he was instructed to kick excessively at the Tahs and those around him were clueless at reading his thinking. One can but wonder what could have been.
Shooter McGavin
Guest
Only Australian rugby and it's "brains trust" could work out how to turn a sensational fullback into an ordinary utility and a guy who can't kick into to a fullback. Beale should own the fullback position. Folau should be a winger or low-and-behold be taught how to pass and moved to centre or inside. It's a bit like having the world's best 7 as an ordinary 8 and coaching your loosies to hang out in the backline while the opposition are dominating up the middle...
OZ Rugby Fan
Guest
I would have to check but I recall Quade Cooper was completely out of favour with Deans for a year leading to Beale and O'Connor getting a run at 10. Toxic environment comments seem to ring a bell. McKenzie took over and started with Toomua at 10 before dropping him to the bench and bringing back Cooper, maybe Toomua was there first due to a Cooper injury, I can't remember. I do recall McKenzie criticism of Deans fir leaving Cooper out. I believe Christian Lealiifano was 12? AAC at 13. I recall that McKenzie sung the praise of Folau for 15 before the change, I don't think it was for lack of options. It was very much to do with Beales issues under the high ball but I don't think they played 14/15 together did they? Wasn't Beale suspended when Folau started?
Russell Jackson
Guest
beal can't catch a high ball how is he a fullback?
TimO
Roar Rookie
I thought KB had been going okay at 12, and it was his best position. Maybe Toomua is better (different anyway). IMO Foley not international class, so can sympathize with trying KB and Toomua together (maybe Toomua should have been in 10 though). But maybe KB has developed into a bacline Jack of all trades and master of none. So if no-one else is putting their hand up for a particular position, then KB is an option (11, at the moment). If you've got the bases covered, then KB comes off the bench.
M.O.C.
Roar Guru
I bet you could ask each of the players you listed and they could tell you their best position. Ask Beale, Folau or AAC what their best position is - I suspect they would have no idea.
HiKa
Roar Rookie
Harry, I'm INSIDE and I agree with you. Good guy to have on the bench if you need to conjure a try in the late stages of a close match, or add some lustre to an emphatic win.
HiKa
Roar Rookie
My memory was that EM started with Toomua at 10, then moved him to 12 after Quade got back from injury. Beale was being ruthlessly exploited/exposed with high kicks to fullback and couldn't continue there. Folau got moved to fullback not because he's better there than wing (he isn't) but because there were no better candidates.
HiKa
Roar Rookie
Agree with your sentiments, Die. BTW, does anyone know a Dale Haylett-Perry? I can guess who the author meant because he got the first part of the last name right.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Campese was the dream player who could really get you out of your seat and at times, at FB manly. have you glued to it in disbelief. Curtley is a rugby union player who always wanted to play league but knew his defence would never be good enough for league. Comparing him to Ella is crazy, all of this is silly to be proposing positional changes in the backs is a bit like farting around with a chess board when you are sure they have you checkmate! Foley's weaknesses would not be so obvious if we had a pack and particularly a back row who can cross the gain line and provide quick ball from the breakdown. We haven't done this for years. The last time I saw it was the Waratahs the year they last won SR, they were blasting the opposition and giving the backs great opportunities, Potgieter was a big part of that. They didn't play like that all season but enough to show they could do it if they felt UP for it, or got out of bed the right way, or, or, or!
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
You mean like Damien McKenzie who is floated between 15 and 10? Or Ma'a Nonu who bounced between 12, 13 and wing? Maybe Jerome Kaino who has played 6, 8 and lock for the All Blacks? Laughable you pick a single player who supports your view and think that's it.
Hoy
Roar Guru
As I see it, for a few years now under Cheika, we have relied on individual brilliance rather than a structure to secure points. Folau and Beale. That is who our teams looks at to secure points... But as noticed by most on this thread, they aren't actually GREAT players. They have solid flaws in their games. Noticeable flaws. But look at the selection of our team as a whole... we have two 7s picked because one is supposedly revolutionizing how the position is played, but in case he isn't, we'll cover for him with the best 7 in the world right now... But because of that, we can't actually pick an 8, we have to pick a light 6 so we have a lineout option. Foley as our main 10 option has the following brief - give it to Beale to do something individually brilliant. Take all the kicks for touch, despite you having the 4th best kick in the backline. Between Toomua and Beale, I know which one presents better value for the team, but Beale does one amazing thing each few games, so is given unlimited opportunities to shine... He somehow has this mythology about his ability. Comparisons with Ellas and Larkhams etc... all overblown. Beale can't defend well, nor can he catch high balls. Two solid issues for a player called to play positions where both facets are fairly important hey? Hodge at 13 is made to attack on the wing for some reason, having been selected in about 5 positions in 2 years. Our League winger is still learning the game, and playing poorly in a poor system at the moment. Folau is a better winger than fullback, but seems to want fullback because of the glamour and so seems to end up there. The other fullback option, DHP, is played on the wing, to compensate for the fullback's lack of kicking and tactical awareness, but he can't tackle a cold. BUT, when given the chance to play fullback, he is actually more useful in general play, though not able to create big moments like Folau. So what to do?
Rickster
Roar Rookie
As well as taking your opportunities and attacking flair to rack up points, you must have good defence to win games. Other teams (ABs, Boks.. ) publicly acknowledge that and loudly state defence underpins their game plan. WBs however? Good defence also builds pressure and leads to opportunities from turnovers. Defence is a key weakness of both KB and IF. Great attacking flair, but what value if give away 2+ tries for every try scored? We want that flair. Lots of talk about keep or discard based on things like defence weaknesses. Rather than totally discard, we need fix their problem areas (if we can... but they have had these deficiencies for a long time... coaching problems, limited skill set, ego?). We want and need their attacking prowess. KB's defence seems to be getting better, but still problematic at key moments and lacking "enthusiasm" to get up and keep chasing. IF often not in right position. Neither KB or IF can be relied on as last line defence at 15. I certainly wouldnt bring KB on even as impact attacking sub with 10-15 mins to go, when also need keep other team out. Defence is also critical in close games. Need both be told go away and help fix. DHP against Argies tackled heart out. He did miss a key tackle on their winger, but note he tackled the previous guy with ball, got up and went again! Thats enthusiasm!! Several other WBs around... but... If the team strategy is just score more than the other team... good defence by opposition won't allow that to work. Chances of winning probably 50/50 and reliant on other things to go right. Funny.. thats WBs present winning stats?
ethan
Guest
He is quite obviously a fullback. Not physical enough for centre, requiring a little more time and space than 10. It's a travesty he's spent the majority of his career in the front line. Now that Cheika seems open to experimenting with his 10/12/15 more than he has for the past three years, I really hope he gives Beale a run at fullback. DHP has been playing well, but he's no X Factor. Beale has that potential.
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
No denial! And I do hope the Bokkies stay outside the stadium next week and forfeit!!! Ha! Ha!
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
You have my 100% agreement on that statement re "reliable players". A champion team will always beat a team of champions. But our Wallabies, do not want a champion team, they want a team of ex-factor players. DHP over the last two games has shown us the weakness of Folau at FB and the possible best position for Folau after the loss to Argentina. But I am not a fan of Folau and believe the Wallabies do not need him. And in finishing, Beale is well is not a necessity.
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
Die Hard, reasons why he should not be there. Bought in and up too quickly without someone correcting his faults. I remember a bloke as a winger, Campese, ex-factor but a player who had his weaknesses but who had very good Rugby Smarts and Nous and very aware of positional awareness and where to be. He played winger (main) but also deputised at FB and Centre from time to time. He was ex-factor and good. Beale does not even come near to Campese's ability.