It’s official: Kurtley Beale is returning home to Sydney and will be available for the Wallabies’ blockbuster three-Test series with England in June-July.
Rugby Australia confirmed the code’s worst-kept secret on Sunday night that Beale would finish up with Racing 92 at the end of the French Top 14 season and rejoin the NSW Waratahs in 2023.
It’s understood Beale will sacrifice almost $500,000 to cut short his stint in Europe to hopefully contest a record-equalling fourth Rugby World Cup in France next year.
After giving Beale his blessing to ply his trade overseas, Wallabies coach Dave Rennie sent an SOS for the versatile playmaker on last year’s northern hemisphere spring tour of the UK.
Now the 95-Test veteran looms as a key figure in Rennie’s 2023 World Cup plans.
Beale can cover a range of positions across the backline but has been predominantly seen at fullback during his last two seasons playing for his French club.
A member of the past three Wallabies’ Rugby World Cup squads, Beale’s return puts him squarely in the frame to join George Gregan and great mate Adam Ashley-Cooper as only the third Australian to feature at four World Cup tournaments.
“I’m really happy to be returning to Australia and would like to thank RA and the Waratahs for allowing me that opportunity,” Beale said.
“There’s nothing better than representing my state and my country and I’ll be working hard to earn the right to do both when I return to Australia.”
Beale won’t feature for the Waratahs until the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season – 15 years after first representing his state as a teenage schoolboy.
“From what I can see, the Waratahs and the Wallabies are building really strong cultures and environments and I’ll be looking to contribute as much as I can to ensure that continues,” he said.
The 33-year-old is currently the second most capped NSW Waratah with 148 Super Rugby games across 11 seasons for the club.
“We’re really pleased that Kurtley is returning home and committed to Australian Rugby to the end of the 2023 season,” Rugby Australia chief Andy Marinos said.
“His decision is especially significant given the current rugby player market and speaks to his desire to represent both the Waratahs and the Wallabies again.
“We remain determined to be successful and play a brand of rugby that delivers results and engages fans.
“Kurtley has shown this in his career to date and we are excited to see the continued impact he can have as we build towards the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
“Kurtley’s return certainly adds depth and experience to Australian rugby in positions that provide an opportunity to showcase his skill and diversity.”
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Waratahs coach Darren Coleman was also thrilled to welcome back the Indigenous superstar.
“It’s going to be great having Kurtley back not only for the team but for the NSW Rugby public,” Coleman said.
“He’s an excitement machine and his ability to play multiple positions is a real asset for us.”
“I’ve had a long association with Kurtley dating back to 2006 and he’s a really positive guy to have around.
“I feel he will be a great mentor for some of our young backs as they progress through their professional career.”
Tim J
Roar Rookie
How good was he? When Bunce ran on for his debut I was thinking you deserve it after watching him playing with humble passion and genuine skill. He was a brilliant player that got the backline humming, a quiet person but loud on the field.
ScottD
Roar Guru
a couple of gems there
ScottD
Roar Guru
Well to be fair, he was Frank Bunce. The one and only.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Thank you mate.
Hooter
Roar Rookie
I would have liked to have tried to lock down Mack Hansen instead. Now he is lost to the land of potatoes and Guinness. No way of knowing if he was approached and said "No" or not.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Long time no see PeterK, welcome back to the Roar. I actually asked about you in the tipping blog on Friday as I feared that dreaded other Peter (Dutton) may have "deported you for tipping Kiwi teams over the flower of Ozzie manhood". :silly: As for K.Beale, I remember back in 2008/9 when he was an amazing talent who just needed to refine his game a little bit to be the next "M.Ella". He still has those gifts, albeit a mite slower but is a very very good man with the ball for any team. Sadly he also makes the occasional horrible "gaff" that is seen as costing his team a win, though I personally think the criticism is over the top at times. My big problem with Beale is he is still a poor tackler, so should be nowhere near a midfield position in test rugby. After saying all that, good luck to the bloke if he gets selected. Its not his fault if T.Banks, R.Hodge or any other fb cannot show they should be considered over Beale. And I certainly think Dave Rennie has a far better eye for rugby talent than we mugs of the Roar. People rave also about J.Petaia as a potential great fb, who can't get past J.Campbell at the Reds. I rave about J.Ramm who I see as another Joe Roff. His Tahs coach prefers Alex Newsome. We all have our pet players. :silly:
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Let's hope he does but secretly wish a younger, better 15 and bench cover option steps up and demands to be picked. BTW, he's well regarded at Racing as he was at Wasps. Whether the requirements are slightly different or not, he is still considered an elite player here in the NH
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
And a fair call. I doubt that he turned down $500k and expect no one in the NH wanted him. I thought apart from one run he was crap in the spring tour, he was certainly crap when he last played for the Wallabies and Tahs and I can’t think of one positive thing he will bring to either team. I guess we’ll find out next year
Hooter
Roar Rookie
I value the dialog. Don’t let one idiot spoil it for you.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
No mate of course not, we can disagree but with respect :thumbup: It is somebody way above little MadKiwi self. I have always respected your honest opinions, this is what makes the Roar great. I only have one person that wants me to leave, and he has just done it again. It is on the another article.
Hooter
Roar Rookie
Hi Mad Kiwi, hope it wasn’t me. I try to be constructive and not personal.
Warwick Todd
Guest
…..assaulted a bouncer in Brisbane and his female cousin in Mt. Druit to round it out. All the while strutting about like the “cock of the walk”. Top bloke really and essential to any building rugby side.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I really don’t. He’s got weaknesses, always has. He made some stupid mistakes too. It’s 2022 though and he’s just made the call to pass up a likely extension of a bigger contract to return home to compete for spots with the Tahs and Wallabies with no guarantee of success. I give him the benefit of the doubt, is all and hope he succeeds or a better player stands up
KFar
Guest
No, dont bring him back. Move forwards not backwards
Tim J
Roar Rookie
All good points Hooter, I do not know his salary? But I presume he is more than happy with what he has made, I am thinking that he wants to give himself back to Australian Rugby because of what the sport gave him pre Cheika era. Believe me I have made mistakes in life, but it made me a better person! I hope anyway. Guess that is why I am more forgiving to most, except that dipstick ex League player who got done again for cocaine in Japan, even before he played one game.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
I totally understand where you are coming from, I guess DR and co know his past and the person he is now. I believe that people change and should have a second chance, QC has shown this. If Beale can share with younger players about his experience and give them guidance, then it can be only a positive. NZ have and are still doing this, but it is something that is still new to Australia. Hence why I understand the reserved response.
Hooter
Roar Rookie
The talent is there but we chop and change too much and use the wrong people in the wrong roles. For mine, if you want to run the ball back use Banks but tell him not to kick, if you want to kick the ball back use Hodge but tell him to kick long, not up, you want balance Kelloway or Campbell look the goods and if you want a deer in the headlights who robs people of space, makes low percentage kicks and could not tackle an Under 7Cs player pick Beale :-P. Another point, I think if Beale was truly realistic about his chances, and there were no other factors in play for selection, he would have taken the money in France. Me? Cynical?
Hooter
Roar Rookie
In a bit more of a constructive way than Wigeye. I am not sure how much more value experience wise you are getting from Beale with Slipper, JOC and Cooper around. Culturally Beale is not a good choice given his scandal ridden past including punching team mates, hardly builds a positive culture. In response to the "couch prentend coaches" whilst I am not a Super or Test coach I have played the game for 40 years and coached for the last six (albeit lower grades), I am looking forward. I am looking at other players who could have a long test future ahead of them who have not had anywhere near the ongoing opportunities and second chances that Beale has had. Selecting Beale is selecting a deeply flawed player who has never consistently delivered at Test or Super Rugby level who is well past his prime, this is is looking backwards looking for the rare glimpses of the player he should have been. Having him in the Warratahs or the Wallabies is preventing opportunities for other players to be part of a squad, being seen and having opportunities to succeed. We may miss the next Mack Hansen opportunity because of it. Granted he will probably have to earn his place in both squads but the optics and the messaging is poor.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
I cannot argue with that Hooter, :thumbup: I think that he will be realistic about his chances. It does highlight the deficiency in that position, hopefully this season someone steps up. There is genuine talent there in Australia, and that is why this season is so important to all players wanting that elusive gold jersey.
Hooter
Roar Rookie
Yeah but he was not as soft a Beale.