Joe Schmidt boost as Wallabies veteran makes timely return after ‘devastating’ 10-month lay-off ahead of British and Irish Lions series
Kurtley Beale has not played for the Wallabies since 2021 but was named in Schmidt's squad last year.
Wallabies veteran Kurtley Beale is on the verge of making his return to rugby following a horror 10-month spell out of the game, just in time to make a late push for Joe Schmidt’s squad to face the British and Irish Lions.
The utility back ruptured his Achilles tendon while playing for Randwick in the New South Wales Shute Shield back in June last year and has not seen action since.
Kurtley Beale on verge of comeback after horror injury
The Western Force star has not featured for the Wallabies since 2021, but was named in Schmidt’s wider 38-man squad for their two-Test series against Wales last year prior to his injury.
“It was a weird sensation,” Beale told AAP on his injury. “It felt like a pop down the back of my ankle, and I kind of looked around, I thought someone kicked me, and no one was around me, and I kind of just fell helplessly to the ground.
“It was quite devastating at the time.”
But, after 10 months away from the game, it seems the 95-capper is back and ready to make a late push to return to Schmidt’s squad, with fellow Force back Bayley Kuenzle revealing Beale could be back on the pitch as soon as next weekend.
“They’ve got him on tour (of New Zealand), which is great to have,” Kuenzle said. “He’s a potential for next week, so hopefully he gets through everything.”
Kuenzle, who himself has recently returned from a 17-month spell on the sidelines following a knee injury, added: “He gives us a massive buzz, he brings a lot of energy around the group.
“What he can do on the field would be amazing for us.”
The Force begin their tour of New Zealand with a tough visit to table-topping Chiefs before heading to Auckland to take on the defending champions, Blues. The Perth-based side have made a strong start to the season, though, sitting fifth at the time of writing after four wins and a draw from the opening nine games.