Troubled Melbourne Rebels star Kurtley Beale to turn out for club side Randwick as he starts bid for Wallaby selection

KURTLEY Beale could climb his way into the Wallabies squad to face the British & Irish Lions via club rugby.

KURTLEY Beale could climb his way into the Wallabies squad to face the British & Irish Lions via club rugby.

The extraordinary situation has arisen after Beale was cleared to resume playing after undergoing counselling for issues related to alcohol, but it was deemed too risky for him to return to Melbourne.

So on Saturday, Beale will likely make his first public appearance since entering a rehab facility a fortnight ago when he lines up for Shute Shield club Randwick, against defending champions Sydney University.

The ARU and Rebels announced last night that Beale “has completed the first phase of a counselling program”.

“Following discussions between all parties, including ARU, RUPA and the Melbourne Rebels the decision has been taken that Kurtley will remain in Sydney at this stage to continue working with his support network,” the statement said.

“However, he will return to playing rugby via his Sydney club Randwick.”

Wallabies selectors will not publicly confirm they are interested in selecting Beale among six additional players for the Lions series just yet, but the Daily Telegraph understands it is a serious consideration.

Beale had returned to Melbourne from an earlier alcohol-related indiscretion at the start of this month, only to stumble again by drinking after a game.

The star playmaker headed back to Sydney, where he has a valuable support network of family and friends, and has been undergoing treatment while still training.

This time, all parties thought it wise that Beale did not need the pressures and distractions of Super Rugby so soon after his second round of counselling.

But he remains in the frame to be selected for Australia on June 11, when six players will be added to the 25-man squad announced last Sunday week.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans remains a big supporter of Beale, who scored the match-winning try in the final minute of their last Test, against Wales in December.

He could return to the Rebels the following week against the Brumbies in Canberra on June 7, but if it’s decided Beale should still remain in Sydney, Deans could pick him on the back of two games for Randwick.

His off-field issues have caused a headache for Beale, his family, teammates, coaches and supporters, but when he is mentally and emotionally fine Beale is a world-beating player.

Deans understands that Beale’s unique and unpredictable skills could be valuable against the presumably rigid Lions defence – so long as Beale continues his positive progress and is deemed capable of returning to the heat of the international kitchen.