Kurtley Beale reveals the key role Michael Cheika played in bringing him home

KURTLEY Beale says Michael Cheika is the coach who has gotten the best out of him and revealed the Wallabies mentor is key to his return to Australia.

KURTLEY Beale says Michael Cheika is the coach who has gotten the best out of him and revealed the Wallabies mentor played a big part in persuading him to return to Australia.

Utility back Beale last week announced he would come home rather than spend another season with leading English club Wasps.

Providing he remains injury-free and in good form, Beale will be available for Australia’s three June Tests against Fiji, Scotland and Italy. That would allow him to continue the strong relationship he has forged with Cheika, who also coached him at the Waratahs and last week foreshadowed Beale playing an upgraded role in the 2017 Wallabies program.

“The 2014 year with the Waratahs winning the (Super Rugby) championship, we built a pretty special friendship,” Beale told Fox Sports..

“I find he’s proven the best coach to get the best out of me and obviously over the last couple of months we’ve had some chats and his word I hold very strongly.

“I know how to work under him and I know he can get the best out of me and to make the decision to go back home, he definitely played a big role In that.”

Beale could have stayed in England and remained eligible to represent the Wallabies, as he met the criteria of having won 60 caps and been professionally contacted in Australia for several years.

Asked why he had opted to come home Beale said “to be able to get back into that Wallaby program ASAP, get my body right, understand the knowledge of how Cheik wants to play the game.” Beale said he hadn’t discussed with the NSW Waratahs the possibility of playing for them in this year’s Super Rugby tournament after completing his commitments to Wasps.

They look certain to make the English Premiership semi-finals and could be playing until the last week of May.

That might allow him to play the last three rounds of Super Rugby. “I haven’t really spoken to (Waratahs coach) Daryl Gibson,” Beale said. “Obviously my focus at the moment is to try and help Wasps to get to the finals. Then after the finals over here there’s a bit of a break to get the body rejuvenated and to then go back home and get back into my training again.” He did however indicate he was keen to help the Waratahs, who have made a 1-2 start to the current campaign.

“I feel like I’m starting to hit my straps over here with Wasps in the English Premiership and the European Cup, so I’m feeling good,” he said. “I just want to be able to get back and play rugby again and help the Waratahs get back to finding winning form and that’s something that I’m really looking forward to.”