Melbourne Rebels star Kurtley Beale trains with Randwick second grade side ahead of weekend match

KURTLEY Beale's path back to Wallabies contention via club rugby took a further twist last night when the Rebels star trained with Randwick reserves.

Kurtley Beale

KURTLEY Beale's path back to Wallabies contention via club rugby took a further old school twist last night when the Rebels star trained with Randwick second-grade side.

Beale is set to play fullback for the Galloping Greens in their Shute Shield showdown with Sydney University on Saturday afternoon, but with the Wicks' first grade team doing a recovery session last night, he joined up with reserve grade to blow the cobwebs out.

The 24-year-old has only played 45 minutes of rugby in the last 90 days after surgery on a broken hand, and two separate periods away from the Rebels to undergo counselling and rehabilitation for alcohol issues. Beale is believed to still in good physical shape, however, after keeping up an ARU-run training regimen.

In any event, Randwick insiders say Beale's fitness will be quickly sharpened up by the Galloping Greens' revitalised game style under new coach Wade Kelly, which has seen a return to the running rugby traditions of the famous club.

Kurtley Beale

Up against the ever-powerful Students, the return to club rugby will provide Beale with a good platform to press for inclusion in the Wallaby squad.

Robbie Deans will be in Brisbane to watch Melbourne Rebels No.10 James O'Connor take on Reds playmaker Quade Cooper.

However, an undisclosed Wallaby coaching staff member will attend Beale's match.