All Blacks legend backs ‘fantastic’ Kurtley Beale to make Wallabies return
All Blacks legend Mils Muliaina and Westen Force and Wallabies full-back Kurtley Beale.
All Blacks legend Mils Muliaina has urged Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt to hand a Test recall to Western Force full-back Kurtley Beale for their upcoming mid-year internationals.
Beale, who can play in several backline positions, joined the Force on a short-term contract last month until the conclusion of their Super Rugby Pacific campaign.
Ever-present for the Force
The 35-year-old has started at full-back in all of the Perth-based outfit‘s matches since making his debut in their Round Nine home victory against the Crusaders.
The 95-Test veteran made his last Wallabies appearance in 2021 and was ruled out of selection for his country in 2022 after he moved to Top 14 outfit Racing 92.
Beale returned to Australia when he signed a deal with the Waratahs but did not represent the Sydneysiders in Super Rugby Pacific last year after he was suspended due to sexual assault allegations in December 2022.
His suspension also meant he missed out on representing Australia at his fourth Rugby World Cup last year but he eventually resumed his rugby career after being found not guilty of the charges against him.
Kurtley Beale makes Wallabies decision after Joe Schmidt chat
He has been in fine form since his return to action for the Force and Muliaina, who made 100 Test appearances for New Zealand – mostly at full-back – believes he will be a valuable addition to Schmidt’s Wallabies squad.
“He’s fantastic,” Muliaina said on Stan Sport’s The Call Up show. “What he’s done is actually brought a little bit of that flair and understanding of ‘hey, we’ve got to have a go here.’
“There’s no use having a backline that is going to just kick the ball back and defend. But they’ve also got a balance in terms of their ability to be able to kick and be steady.”
Positive impact
Fly-half Ben Donaldson is another Wallaby who has impressed since joining the Force from the Waratahs this year and Muliaina feels Beale’s presence is having a positive impact on his team-mates.
“What we have noticed is the real maturity about that backline and perhaps that’s Donaldson as well, having Kurtley’s influence there, but the morale of the group as well,” Muliaina said.
“Higher honours? Absolutely. I know there’s a lot of guys in competition but why wouldn’t you have Kurtley in the Wallabies squad? Someone of his experience to bring these guys through and nurture them.”
