Kurtley Beale became ‘complete package’ in England, according to Wallabies teammate Bernard Foley

KURTLEY Beale has been a shining light for the Wallabies since returning from England, and his long-time teammate Bernard Foley reveals why.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 09: Kurtley Beale of Australia looks on during The Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the South Africa Springboks at nib Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

​KURTLEY Beale’s stint in England saw the Wallabies star develop into a “complete package”, according to long-time teammate Bernard Foley.

Beale has been outstanding for the Wallabies in the last month after returning from a season as the Premiership’s highest-paid player. Injury restricted Beale to only 12 games but he still steered Wasps into the Premiership Final.

Wasps loved Beale’s attacking potency but Foley says his old mate — and thus the Wallabies — benefited equally from the season abroad, with the instinctive playmaker learning how to break down rivals using different styles.

Good mates and long-time teammates Kurtley Beale and Bernard Foley. Picture: Brett Costello

“He has spoken about that, how he learned a lot about how they play up there and how they want to build pressure, how they start the game and try to play that territory-style and build it from the start of the game,” Foley said.

“That has definitely added to his mindset and allowed him to complete himself. He sees the game a bit different. Add that to the way he likes to attack and the whole experience was a real bonus I would say.”

He scored a sizzling try but Beale’s kicking game was just as influential in Perth as the Wallabies scrapped out a 23-all draw with the Springboks on a slippery night. Beale handling frontline defensive duties is also evidence of a player whose game has grown, says Foley.

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“He has developed a complete package of his game,” he said.

“He is defending in the front line, making his tackles, and he is also taking control of the game. Having that experience overseas has allowed him to grow as a player and bring back a well-rounded game. That’s exactly what is needed in the heat of the battle.”

The return of a grown-up Beale has knock-on benefits for the Wallabies.

Beale has been the Wallabies’ best since returning home.

The 28-year-old’s presence frees up Foley up, particularly in the field-kicking area. And it also allows Israel Folau to stay wide and not — as he did in Beale’s absence — take on second-receiver duties.

“​It just allows each of us a little bit more freedom to just assess what’s happening in the game and to assess what’s needed,” Foley said. “It’s a nice balance, for sure.”

Conditions and a wobbly set-piece curtailed the Wallabies attack in Perth but still emboldened by what unfolded in Dunedin, the Aussie side will again look to run the ball against Argentina in Canberra.

The Pumas showed against the All Blacks in New Plymouth they’re not easily conquered, however, and mostly via the boot, held a lead over New Zealand in the final half-hour.

The Kiwis ultimately prevailed five tries to one but the importance of taking points from the boot wasn’t lost on Foley, whose wayward night off the kicking-tee in Dunedin helped the Kiwis escape with a win in the second Bledisloe.

The Wallabies No.10 hit the posts more times than a Socceroo in Dunedin; finishing with two from six in the tense six-point loss.

“You definitely reflect on it, if I had kicked those goals or whatever, when you miss a couple,” Foley said.

“But you just have to go back to what you know has worked for you and replicate that, always focusing on the next kick.

Beale with his man of the match award.

“You definitely try and address (mistakes), why you are doing that in a game, and self-correct. That was probably the disappointing thing. Not being able to self correct or go back to hitting the ball straight. The week off afterwards was really just trying to go back and sharpen up my processes, and focus on how I normally kick the ball. You don’t want to over complicate things.”

Foley bounced back and kicked 83% in Perth.

With rival No.10 Nicolas Sanchez a lethal kicker, Foley knows he’ll have to keep his kicking boots on in Canberra.

“What we have seen in Test matches, you have to convert pressure in points, in whatever form,” Foley said.

“We know they’re a side that likes to do that. Drop goals, long range goals. They try to keep it ticking over. So for us we have to convert pressure and keep the scoreboard ticking over.”

Though they’re winless this year, Foley said the Pumas were definitely improving as a side and the combinations gained from the Jaguares seasons in Super Rugby made them a dangerous outfit.