Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has welcomed the news that Kurtley Beale looks set for a Super Rugby return but has outlined the biggest challenge facing the veteran in his quest to play in a fourth World Cup next year.
Beale left Australia after the 2019 RWC exit to play in France, but reports from there last month said he had rejected a contract extension with Racing 92 to return to Australia mid year.
The Waratahs are known to want the 33-year-old, who returned to the Wallaby gold on the Spring Tour in November, but a massive pay cut is likely and Tahs coach Darren Coleman has ruled him out of contention for the campaign that starts next week.
It’s expected Beale will sign an 18 month deal from the start of the Test season, and then play Super Rugby in the build up to the World Cup.
Rennie said he was impressed with Beale’s impact when he joined the Wallabies in Europe, although he lagged against England, he did show marked improvement against Wales.
JIM TUCKER: Is Beale the answer to Australia’s fullback conundrum?
“Obviously passionate, desperate to be part of the Wallabies again and his contribution was massive,” Rennie said in reflecting on what Beale adds.
“He worked really hard on his game, contributed lots in regards to the discussion and our planning and performed really well.
“He looked really sharp against Wales and his real point of difference has often been his speed and footwork and making sure that’s at the top. That’s probably the challenge for him.
“So if he’s coming home, that would be great from our perspective because we’ll have a lot more influence from a Super Rugby point of view compared to if he was playing in France.”
A relaxation of the Giteau Law on replacements saw Rennie look widely to keep his squad fresh and impactful throughout last season.
He has introduced 20 newcomers to Test footy since replacing Michael Cheika in 2020, but thinks there will be an easing in the churn as thoughts focus on the 2023 World Cup.
“I’d expect us to have a more settled look around the squad because we’ve got a lot of knowledge and we’ve got a lot of confidence in the guys we’re using,” Rennie said.
“But they’ve got to perform and, if they do that, hopefully they can build on what they’ve done so far.
“But we’re certainly not going to close the door on anyone jumping out of the pack.
“The door’s always open. If someone emerges from left field, they’ll be rewarded.”
Although it was expected late last year, there is still yet to be an announcement on changes to the eligibility rules which will give a blueprint for Rennie on how he can build his squad.
“What we’ve being doing over the last couple of years is picking some young men who hopefully by the time they go to a World Cup have got 40 Test caps under them – or maybe more, said Rennie.
“So we learnt a lot last year. We had a tough international season and we’ve got another one which is awesome.”
Rennie said he and other support staff were mulling a trip to France to scout locations and do early logistics on the World Cup campaign. He said they were closely monitoring the Six Nations tournament and if the trip coincided with the tournament he would like to attend some games.
But of more urgent interest is the Super Rugby kickoff, and he said Wallabies staff have been in close contact with the states around their preparations.
“I think teams are really well conditioned. There’s been a big shift in the last couple of years around that,” said Rennie.
“We’ve spent a lot of time in Super Rugby environments and we’ve gone in there to share and learn off them as well.”
He rejected any thought that the Wallabies were having a tactical input on style or where certain players should feature.
“We’re not coming in saying how to play or who to play,” said Rennie. “Everyone’s got their own DNA. Look at the Brumbies – renowned for their maul but have tried to grow their game over the last couple of years and done a good job around that and the Reds are a different side and so on.
“It’s more around the core skills – guys understanding from individual development plans their roles and the areas they need to be better and what’s their point of difference” Keep excelling in that.”
This, he said , was the time for the clubs to take centre stage, adding: “We’re trying to be a resource and our time in the clubs is a chance for us to learn as well. The relationship’s been really good. We’ll share analysis to hopefully help when we play the Kiwi sides.”
But there is no doubt the Super Rugby players are on trial for greater rewards.
“We’ll pick a Test side every week based on what we’re seeing,” said Rennie.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Not in the slightest, don’t buy in to George’s false narrative. For clarity, I hope a younger player makes the Wallabies 15 position their own. That doesn’t detract from me being very happy that KB has his hand up to return and compete for the position.
tuohyred
Roar Rookie
Should that have had a sarc. warning?
Phil
Guest
The trouble with any article mentioning KB is that it brings out the idiots!If a player is not "working on his game",then he shouldn't be playing. What about QC?I think he has worked on his game and look at the results. I am not a Beale fan and I hope there are others who lift their performances so there is no need to use him,but you shouldn't criticise his willingness to have a go at Wallaby selection.
Hoy
Roar Guru
It's sad isn't it? Like 5/8s... where are our good all round fullbacks? Why do we get sucked into flashy ones with holes in their ability?
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Matt Burke last played in August 2004 and Chris Latham in October 2007, one month after Stephen Larkham, the Harmless Wallabies' last first five. That's fifteen years - and we had an Elite Player Development Footpath Paradigm Facility throughout that hiatus. It sounded quite grand and purposeful when it was announced.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Well that is as accurate an observation as you'll get - well done Gepetto!
Hooter
Roar Rookie
Ha! Fair, but this is not the Under 7 Ds though.
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
He roams around the paddock and has fun and when his team loses, he takes it really well.
Ace
Guest
That's alot of words to just say you adore David. They are ranked 7th under Rennies coaching, how hard is it for you to grasp ? Clutching at straws mate. It is totally irrelevant if they were 3rd 3 months ago ,now they are 7th. Godness Gracious some people. :laughing:
Malotru
Roar Rookie
Beale will be heading for 35 years old come the RWC. Given his current weaknesses, if he's needed then it would seem that Australia has problems.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
“You do know a test season is not over unill (sic) the EOYT is over. Right ?” Rankings are adjusted constantly not just at the end of the test season lol You do know that eh? While the Wallabies did end up 7th based on some poor end of season results, they were ranked as high as 3rd. So the comment I was responding to, ‘Rennie has dropped them back to 7th after 2 poor seasons’ is pretty disingenuous. It is more accurate say that he got them as high as 3rd, but have dropped back to 7th after a mixed tour. I never said they finished the test season off in 3rd, so maybe chill tf out. “ God (sic) god some people have no idea how rugby rankings are calculated.” I actually didn’t mention anything about how they were calculated. Unless you’re trying to say that they only get calculated at the end of the (Southern Hemisphere) test season? :laughing: You do seem a bit confused?
Hooter
Roar Rookie
Another 100 tests should cover it
Broken Shoulder
Roar Rookie
I'd like to see Hodge for that role. Good defence, excellent kick to get us out of our own half and solid under the high ball.
Hoy
Roar Guru
I think... we need a well rounded fullback for the Wallabies to shine... We don't need a magician in loose play, who can't tackle... or who trys low % kicks to himself at importune times... We need someone who kicks well, long, and when required. We need someone who injects into the line at the right time, passes at the right time, and makes the right decisions all the time. We need someone in defense who won't fall over when someone wiggles their body at them... It was honestly a toss up between Darius Boyd and Kurtley Beale for most ineffective defender at the back across any code. For both, their go to defense was the "stepped on the inside; reach out, fall over!". It was bad. I hope he can improve and get back to a high standard... because honestly, he should not have been selected over the last few years when he was... but then Banks is in the same boat as well... I pray for a Latham or Burke type figure for Aus rugby. Not someone who is flashy... but someone who does basics VERY well.
Hooter
Roar Rookie
I still do not understand what Rennie sees in Beale. He has never consistently delivered at Super level let alone test level. He may have been OK against Wales but looked like a rabbit in the headlights against the Scots. Surely we have to look towards the future here.
Bobbles
Guest
I hate to break it to you Markus but Beale if he can stand will be included in Rennies Wallabies. He wont come back if he knows he has to play well consistently and have some good form. Rennie has guaranteed him a spot already with that praise from the Wales game . Very sad for all Wallaby supporters, but it will happen.
Ace
Guest
You do know a test season is not over unill the EOYT is over. Right ? God god some people have no idea how rugby rankings are calculated.
Terry
Guest
Lock in Kurtley he is knocking down the door with his magnificent set of skills.He will be the number 15 in Rennies team.I'm calling it now.
Markus
Roar Rookie
Not the heaviest praise from Rennie, and sadly I can't even agree with his assessment that Beale was 'sharp' against Wales. Fantastic individual play in the set up to White's try, but outside of that he spent 10 in the bin for a cynical knock-down instead of making a tackle, and as the closest defender to Tompkins at the "knock back" call he chose to stand there bleating at the ref instead of making a tackle. It's great having him back in Australia (better than not in Australia), and the Waratahs will definitely get value out of the extra experience and depth for their backline, but he has a whole lot more than just foot speed to work on if he is to get a start for the Wallabies again.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Does he sing that James Blunt song too?