Kurtley Beale makes stunning revelation on the eve of his long-awaited comeback
Wallabies and Western Force utility back Kurtley Beale.
Veteran Wallabies utility back Kurtley Beale is set to make his long-awaited return to action for the Western Force when they take on the Blues at Eden Park on Friday.
Beale 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.
His injury was a major setback as Beale had not featured for the Wallabies since 2021, but he was named in Joe Schmidt’s wider 38-man squad for their two-Test series against Wales last year mere days before his injury.
And the 95-Test Wallaby admitted that he contemplated retirement while he was going through the long recovery process with his injury.
Retirement revelation
“It was a long journey, very tough, isolating, a lot of thoughts were crossing my mind whether to hang them up,” Beale told Rugby Australia’s official website.
“There were some tough days where I considered retiring. But there was something burning inside me deep down to continue to play, finish on my terms, so to speak. Not every great player or any player gets to finish on their terms.
“I can’t thank the Force enough for giving me the opportunity to be able to kind of do my rehab over in Perth and put me in a high performing program with Magic Mike, the rehab coach there.
“He’s unbelievable, pushing me to my limits. Very testing, challenging, but very grateful. Those guys pushing you every day.
“My wife and my family [have] been probably the number one supporters. They see me facing a lot of doubt and they just give me the energy to get back up and put my dreams into reality.”
The 36-year-old has been thrown into the deep end as he will make his comeback as the starting fly-half against the Blues and admits that he is excited and nervous about the prospect of returning to action at the spiritual home of New Zealand rugby.
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“I’ve had a long journey up until now, I’m just kind of just ready to be able to get out there and play with the lads and try and get that dub at Eden Park on Friday night against Auckland,” said Beale.
“The Blues are a tough team. They’re coming off some tough losses. They’re the champions of last year.
“They’re coming back home to the spiritual home of rugby, as they call it over here in New Zealand, Eden Park, so they’ll be up and ready to go. It’s going to be a tough match.”
The Force are currently sitting in sixth position in the Super Rugby Pacific standings while the Blues occupy ninth spot but the men from Perth head into Friday’s fixture after suffering a humiliating 56-22 defeat to the table-topping Chiefs in Hamilton last weekend.
Full of confidence ahead of Blues clash
Despite that result, Beale is confident his side can get the better of the defending champions who lost 35-21 against the Reds in Brisbane in their previous match.
“Training this week’s been awesome,” he revealed.
“The guys have learned a lot of lessons against the Chiefs. They had a great first half, but the second half, there was so many lessons there that I feel like we’ve rectified through training.
“There’s a really good energy around the group now, very focused.
“What an amazing opportunity to be able to face the Blues at their home ground, the Holy Grail of Eden Park, and try and get out there and get that dub.”
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