Inside Beale’s obsession to get back in a Wallabies jersey

Western Force coach Simon Cron knew the moment he put down the phone after a call with Kurtley Beale last month that the 95-Test Wallaby was serious about reigniting his career.

“He’s obsessed,” Cron told this masthead. “He talks about being obsessed. You’ve got to be obsessed to be great in the game.

“[Do] you know when you can tell there’s passion in somebody’s voice? It was a, ‘I won’t let you down’ mentality. That’s what I heard in his voice. By the end of that conversation, I was convinced it was the best thing for our team.”

Beale will line up against his former team, the NSW Waratahs, in a highly anticipated clash in Perth on Saturday evening.

The thought of Beale playing against the Waratahs – the team he made his debut for in 2007 as an 18-year-old – was almost inconceivable a few months ago.

In early February, two weeks before the Super Rugby Pacific season, a jury found Beale not guilty of sexual offences against a woman at a Bondi pub.

Western Force fullback Kurtley Beale. Credit: Getty

The allegations prevented Beale playing professional rugby in 2023.

Beale was not considered for Wallabies selection at last year’s World Cup.

Once cleared, after a 12-day trial in Sydney’s Downing Centre District Court, Beale’s quest for one more shot at top-flight rugby began.

He started in club rugby for Randwick but was told no Super Rugby team had room on its roster.

Kurtley Beale outside court in February after his acquittal on sexual assault charges.Credit: Nick Moir

Cron says Adam Ashley-Cooper, who played 100 games for the Wallabies, reached out to see whether there was an opportunity for Beale in the west. At that stage, there wasn’t.

Then Force player Harry Potter picked up an injury.

“When I called him about the possibility that this might be an opportunity, I was really just gauging to see how motivated he was and what his mentality was towards going back and playing,” Cron said. “Within about three minutes, I realised he was extremely driven. That made it a much easier decision for me.”

At 35, Beale is in the twilight of his career but believes he has more to offer.

Kurtley Beale in action for Randwick in March. Credit: Getty

He has spoken about wanting to become the first Indigenous Wallaby to play 100 Tests.

Four games into Beale’s Super Rugby return, is a Wallabies comeback really a possibility under the new regime of Joe Schmidt, given his impressive form?

“It’s possible,” Cron said. “I just think the more rugby [the better]. Joe and the Wallabies staff are going to want him playing more rugby. I know Joe watches every game, sometimes even two or three times. It’s really about KB putting his best foot forward.

“I wasn’t sure [how he would be] until we got our hands on him. He’s got great touch skills, he’s got a great catch-pass, but it’s actually more than that. We’re getting a lot of great on-field leadership and game management.

“In terms of his age, I think the game management and the ability to handle big moments under pressure is what he has the capability to do. Depending on what position you might be lacking [leadership] in at that stage of the game, that’s where you want him playing.”

Beale has played 314 of a possible 320 minutes of rugby in his four games this season. Cron has been picking him at fullback, with Ben Donaldson in the driver’s seat at No.10.

Donaldson, the incumbent Wallabies No.10, knew Beale from their days at the Waratahs. He said there could be more international rugby on the horizon for a player who made his debut for the Wallabies in 2010, when Donaldson was still in primary school.

“He hasn’t lost anything,” Donaldson said. “Hopefully, if Joe picks him, he’d be awesome for the team. That milestone of reaching 100 games would be awesome to see. He’d do a great job but that’s up to Joe.

Western Force coach Simon Cron. Credit: Getty

“He hasn’t missed a beat since he’s been here. You can see his presence on the field. It’s helped me and the team.

“Even watching him play at Randwick, he was just playing as if he were back in school or when he first started. He’s not really worried if he makes a mistake, which is a good thing. He’s also super happy.”

Schmidt was asked about Beale last week.

“Kurtley’s just finding his feet again … but I’ve coached teams against Kurtley and he’s shredded us,” Schmidt said. “I know what he’s capable of.”

Like Beale, Donaldson has a point to prove this weekend against his former team.

Donaldson left NSW last year after Will Harrison and Tane Edmed were identified by coaches as the team’s preferred playmakers for 2024.

This masthead revealed last week that Harrison, one of Donaldson’s best mates, has signed a two-year deal in Japan from next season.

Donaldson wanted to stay at NSW but was effectively squeezed out.

Ben Donaldson scores a try for the Wallabies against Georgia at last year’s World Cup. Credit: Getty

“It was a bit surprising,” Donaldson said of Harrison’s new deal. “He kind of even admitted he never really thought he’d be leaving Australia at this point of time, with the [2025 British and Irish] Lions series and a home World Cup [in 2027]. He just says it’s the best thing for him at the moment. I’m supportive of him. I’m not too sure what’s going on at the Tahs next year regarding coaches and fly-halves.”

The Waratahs might be last on the Super Rugby ladder – with two wins from 11 games – but Donaldson said there had been no shortage of sledging this week.

Donaldson last played Harrison during an under-12s match between the Clovelly Eagles and Coogee Seahorses. They have been almost inseparable since.

“‘Harro’ said to me the other day he doesn’t think he’ll be able to take me seriously,” Donaldson said. “Charlie Gamble and Mark [Nawaqanitawase] have been getting into me a bit. I’m sure there’ll be more banter on the field.”

If Beale can help the Force to victory, it will be a satisfying evening for Cron, who worked as an assistant at NSW from 2017 to 2019.

“Everything he says, he does,” Cron said of Beale. “He’s got a very calm way of talking to the boys but there’s real purpose in it.

“He’s even more comfortable in himself now than what I saw back then at the Tahs. He’s maybe [better] away from the spotlight of Sydney. He’s been outstanding.”

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