‘Motivated’ Kurtley Beale continues his career after ‘devasting’ injury as possible shot at redemption awaits Wallabies veteran

Kurtley Beale is not done yet as the 95-cap Wallaby has returned to the Western Force ahead of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season.

The veteran utility back suffered a devasting injury while playing for Rnadwick in the NSW Shute Shield last year which thwarted his opportunity to return to international rugby.

Beale suffered the Achilles injury in June after earning a recall to the Wallabies squad ahead of the Tests against Wales and was subsequently sidelined for the remainder of the year.

Kurtley Beale signs with the Force

The 36-year-old has got another opportunity to press for a return to international rugby after re-joining the Western Force as injury cover for Harry Potter.

He joins the club as part of his rehabilitation with a view to pull on the Force jersey during the 2025 season.

Last season for the Force, he totalled 378 metres gained from 66 carries, completed four offloads and made three line breaks in his seven games.

“I’m really grateful for the opportunity the Force have offered myself and my family to continue on in my rugby career,” Beale said.

“We loved our time at the Force last year and I feel I’ll be able to achieve my goals being back in a high-performance environment and highly motivated organisation.

“I’m motivated to be back playing rugby for the Force and helping them push towards a finals series. On a personal level, I want to return in the best possible shape to have the biggest impact on the team.

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“Being in Perth is the perfect environment for me right now, allowing me to focus on my work within a strong high-performance program with great staff who’ll push me to get the best results to return as quickly as possible.

“There’s still work to do and we’ll take it on a week-to-week basis but I’m confident with the support of the medical team, coaches and players I’ll be able to see positive results.”

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Wallabies ambitions

Beale is now in with a chance of featuring for the Force or even the Wallabies against the British and Irish Lions later this year. Back in 2013, he played in all three Tests against the Lions coming off the bench in the opening Test match before starting the second and third game.

He famously slipped while attempting a match-winning kick in the first Test match against the Lions and 2025 provides him with an outside shot at redemption 12 years later.

While Beale hasn’t played Test match rugby since 2022, his performances for the Force certainly caught the eye of head coach Joe Schmidt who may well call on the experienced back this year.

“We’re delighted to offer Kurtley this opportunity, given the impact he made internally on the group last season, both on and off the field, as well as his contribution to Australian rugby and his IP,” Force general manager of rugby Chris Goodman said:

“We know there’s work for him to do to regain full fitness over the next few months, but he is highly motivated. We want to give him the best environment to rehabilitate to get back to his best to help both the Force and his own Wallabies ambitions.

“We also know he’ll add significant value as a leader and mentor with his experience, so we’re thrilled to see him back at Force HQ and offer him this opportunity within Australia.”

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