Kurtley Beale scores two tries as Waratahs trounce Reds 34-3 at Suncorp Stadium

AFTER Kurtley Beale cut a swathe through the Reds, coach Michael Cheika said it was “obvious” Australian rugby must retain the off-contract star.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 12: Kurtley Beale of the Waratahs celebrates after scoring a try during the round 19 Super Rugby match between the Reds and the Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium on July 12, 2014 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

A KURTLEY Beale masterclass cut a swathe through Queensland and handed NSW a record seventh successive victory to finish the regular Super Rugby season, with coach Michael Cheika saying it is “obvious” that Australian rugby must keep hold of the off-contract star.

Beale scored a double and set up another in a commanding performance at Suncorp Stadium, leading NSW to a 34-3 victory over their bitter northern rivals as a number of records tumbled.

It sealed the Waratahs’ most successful season in the 19-year history of Super Rugby, with the most wins (12), best attack and best defence of any team in 2014.

The result was also NSW’s biggest ever win over Queensland.

MORE: Relive the action in Match Centre — scores, stats, video highlights

Beale was inspired, creating a try for run-on fullback Jono Lance before scoring two brilliant five-pointers himself either side of the break. He was a handful throughout the match for the Reds defence, swapping roles with Bernard Foley to play first-receiver for most of the game.

The playmaker is assessing his options for next year as European and Japanese rugby clubs and NRL teams come calling.

MORE: Watch all the video highlights of the Waratahs’ big win here

Given Beale is considered among Australia’s top 30 players and commands a national top-up, the ARU will determine his value alone, leaving the Waratahs hopeful that they table a compelling offer to prevent him walking out as NSW lock Kane Douglas will do.

“Before tonight’s match I think it’s pretty clear to everyone … I think it’s pretty obvious,” Cheika said.

NSW overcame a significant shortage of stock in their backline to notch the four-tries-to-nil win.

With strike weapon Israel Folau ruled out earlier in the week, Rob Horne was a late withdrawal from the team due to flu. Injuries to Lance and winger Cam Crawford resulted in halfback Nick Phipps playing most of the second half at fullback.

Kurtley Beale celebrates a try with his Waratahs teammates.

Phipps completed a solid game with a runaway try at the end of the match, set up by rampaging winger Taqele Naiyaravaro, to seal their ninth fourth-try bonus point of the season, a new Super Rugby record.

Given their form, NSW will enter the finals as overwhelming favourites to win their first premiership.

“We’ve got to show we want it more than all the other teams when it comes down to it,” Cheika said.

“That’s usually what finals is about.”

In a spiteful first half, prop Sekope Kepu was sin-binned for punching and pulling the hair of Reds flanker Beau Robinson, while Simmons was warned for diving into the legs of Tatafu Polota-Nau, sending the hooker flipping.

Sekope Kepu (left) was yellow carded after coming to blows with Beau Robinson.

Reds back-up halfback Sam Johnson was sin-binned in the second half for a dangerous tackle on Beale.

After Kepu’s sin-binning in the 29th minute, Queensland camped on the Tahs’ line for the rest of the half, having numerous opportunities but continually thwarted by a blue wall of defence protecting a 14-3 lead.

In fact, NSW scored the only other points of the first half, when Foley slotted a penalty goal on the half-time siren to give the visitors a 17-3 buffer at the break.

A ferocious hit by Douglas on Queenslander Mike Harris nearly put him through the Brisbane turf, but the playmaker recovered to slot the first points of the game soon after with a penalty goal.

Foley missed two early penalties of his own, although NSW had the lead by the 13th minute when former Reds utility Lance scored the opening try.

He was set up by Beale, who took the ball in midfield and stepped past two defenders before luring another and passing to Lance, who spun in contact and lunged over.

Kurtley Beale makes a break for the Waratahs.

Beale was over the line himself three minutes later when he finished a backline move that he started behind halfway.

Taking the ball at first-receiver, Beale flung it right to Foley, who found Adam Ashley Cooper.

The centre drew his man and passed to winger Cam Crawford, who dummied past one and drew another before passing back inside to Beale to raced through to the line for a superb five-pointer.

In the second half, Beale chipped over the line for Ashley-Cooper, who made a long break upfield. In the ensuing play, Beale ran on to an inside pass from Stephen Hoiles and strolled through under the posts for his second.

Cheika said afterwards that Folau, Horne, Paddy Ryan and Peter Betham would be available for the semi-final.

NSW WARATAHS 34 (Kurtley Beale 2, Jono Lance, Nick Phipps tries Bernard Foley 4 cons 2 pens) bt QUEENSLAND REDS 3 (Michael Harris pen) at Suncorp Stadium. Referee: Mike Fraser. Crowd: 36,205.

Relive all the action from Suncorp Stadium in our match blog below

Originally published as Kurtley Beale scores two tries as Waratahs trounce Reds 34-3 at Suncorp Stadium