Waratahs hope club’s culture will help convince Kurtley Beale to re-sign for next season

THE Waratahs are confident their tight-knit culture will be enough to convince Kurtley Beale to spurn a switch to rugby league.

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)

THE Waratahs are confident their tight-knit culture will be enough to convince Kurtley Beale to spurn a switch to rugby league.

Beale is being targeted by Bulldogs coach Des Hasler for move to Belmore next season, and Japanese and European clubs are also interested in the talented playmaker.

The pressure on the ARU to secure Beale has ramped up this week, with Waratahs coach Michael Cheika and Wallabies teammate Matt Toomua both urging the national body to retain the 25-year-old.

Amid fears Beale is ready to make a long-considered leap into the NRL, however, Waratahs backs Daryl Gibson was far more optimistic on Tuesday, saying the Tahs’ team bonds would be enough to keep the indigenous star.

“Kurtley has had a fantastic year. He’s performed very well. We gave created a really great environment and one that he’s certainly flourished in. I wouldn’t expect him to leave it,” Gibson said.

“People either choose to stay or go for their various reasons. But certainly we have a compelling case here, that we’ve created a very good team environment; a very tight team, you can see that on the field. I think it would be very difficult for him to leave it.”

Wallabies and Waratahs No.8 Wycliff Palu echoed Gibson’s sentiments about the Waratahs’ team culture, which both credited heavily for the team’s minor premiership success this season.

But Palu said while he hoped Beale would stay in rugby, he appreciated the difficulty of the decision.

“I love playing with KB. I was here when he started. Just the energy he brings off the field, he’s a good guy to have around the squad. Hopefully he stays,” Palu said.

“We have built something here. Being around the squad, you can feel it is really tight-knit. The environment is really enjoyable for me and I am sure it is for KB as well. It’s his decision if he wants to leave that or not.”

The Waratahs have the first week of the finals off but resumed training Tuesday with a physical contact session.

Israel Folau is expected to train fully with the team on Thursday after missing the big win over Queensland last weekend with a corked thigh.

Originally published as Waratahs hope club’s culture will help convince Kurtley Beale to re-sign for next season