Kurtley Beale has discussed his Wallabies ambitions with new coach Joe Schmidt ahead of his return to Super Rugby with Western Force.
Beale has arrived in Perth on a short-term contract as cover for injured Harry Potter, having played a couple of matches for Randwick. He sat out 2023 while engaged in a court case and was subsequently acquitted.
The 35-year-old had denied sexual assault allegations but was suspended from all forms of rugby after his arrest in January 2023.
He continued to train away from the game to keep himself in shape to relaunch his career.
“I feel like I’ve got a lot to add to the game,” Beale said.
“I had a year off last year and it was a great opportunity to really focus on my physical being, my mental well-being.
“I trained all that time for this moment now and again I’m very thankful for the opportunity here and I’m just really excited for the challenge ahead.
Kurtley Beale during an Australia Wallabies training session at Sanctuary Cove on August 23, 2022 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
“I’m hoping that I’ll be able to kind of go back to the level playing that I’m used to and hopefully progress, keep growing as a player.”
Beale has been capped 95 times for the Wallabies and acknowledged he’d be keen to add more.
“I had one brief chat [with Schmidt]. He’s got a busy job at the moment in terms of settling in himself,” Beale said.
“Basically he just wanted to see me play some rugby… hopefully I’ll be able to put in some consistent performances for the selectors to be able to look at.”
Beale said he hoped to inspire better performances from the Force, who are bottom of the table despite the influx of his Wallabies mate Nic White, and Ben Donaldson, this season.
“Quite a young group, young guys aspiring to be rugby players over here who don’t really get that much opportunity to interact with international players,” Beale said.
“I guess part of my job being here is also helping those young guys come through and help them with the little areas of their game to be able to take it to the next level, and I’m really excited about that.”
He has spent time playing for Force coach Simon Cron in the past and hopes the partnership brings rewards for both.
“I just had a meeting with him then. I just said, ‘mate, honesty is the best thing’. And I think that’s where I get a lot of my growth.
“And no doubt we have that really good relationship and bond to be able to get the best out of each other. And no doubt I’ll be pushing him and the rest of the guys in the squad. We’re all got that common focus and common goal, which is to progress further, start winning games.”
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MO
Roar Rookie
as a force and rugby fan i want beale to aspire to be best he can be. does anyone want him to say "ive played 95 tests against some of the best, i know how to go to the force and coast"
MO
Roar Rookie
I’m not big on infedility but do reserve the right to take Elle McPherson up on an offer which will never come and nor should it. Cheating on one’s spouse and indeed divorce are extremely very common so some of you need to park the holier than thow stuff. Doesn’t make it right but look at the stats in society. Aaron Smith is a far superior rugby player to Beale and Wayne Carey and his team mates wife having an affair was wrong.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
I love this type of comment that keeps coming up. Couples work through their own issues and find solutions themselves.
Muglair
Roar Rookie
I have bumped into him on and off over time and I saw him just before the club championship. Very fit and very focused. The two issues are the one you raise, sometimes age just pulls you back to the field. The other is his tendency to try too hard and overplay his hand. Terrible in 2020 for an inexperienced and underperforming Waratahs. Bordered on embarrassing and I was so relieved he left on mutual terms, it was the best outcome. I think this will be a challenge for him at the Force, but if he plays within himself and contributes mightily, we may see some of his best football. Good luck to him. My current poster favourite at the gym "Hard work beats talent not working hard", his only option now.
Charlie Mackay
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Charlie Mackay
Roar Rookie
You're seriously defending sexual harrassment? A new low for the Roar...
Old school rugby
Roar Rookie
Let’s wait and see.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
If a player is asked by a national coach to play at 35 it's not arrogant to say 'yes'. It would be more arrogant in fact to refuse to help the team if that's what the coach says he wants.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
In fact Beale's pretty well regarded by teammates.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Beale's an excellent player and human being.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
He's a mercurial and interesting figure with a recent story: that makes good sense-not an agenda except in the anti-Beale world.
Footy Franks
Roar Rookie
Beale has nothing to offer.
Footy Franks
Roar Rookie
Link slept with her not Beale. Not really professional for your head coach, that’s why he walked
Blink
Roar Rookie
He's a great player and intelligent, theopposite of you. Rant on you clueless fool. We'll know by seasons end if he is doing well. We do know that C Mckays rugby knowledge is non-existent.
Old school rugby
Roar Rookie
Some of you astonish me. You want to win but haven’t even seen what Beale has to offer. If he is good enough and improves our chances, why not. I like that he is speaking with confidence, not arrogance. Experience in Test rugby is a tick from me.
GusTee
Roar Pro
Charlie - he has paid a big price for whatever he may have done. A year in the criminal justice system will have had a huge impact on him. He must live with any aberrant behaviour he may have displayed in the past for the rest of his life. I do not condone his failings in any way but, respectfully, he has been through the system and it is now time to move on. The Force must, however, keep him on a short leash with zero tolerance for any breaches.
Charlie Mackay
Roar Rookie
It was Link's fault that Beale s.exually harrassed a female within their team environment?! Riiiiggghhhttt...
Charlie Mackay
Roar Rookie
Kurtley Weasley....?
Charlie Mackay
Roar Rookie
He won't have many of his old rugby mates to save his bacon this time round...
J Joseph
Roar Rookie
But only a wizard can replace Harry Potter.