Kurtley Beale no guarantee to play Shute Shield opener as teams revealed for round one

Randwick coach Stephen Hoiles is leaving Kurtley Beale’s availability for their Shute Shield opener in his hands. Find out the heartbreaking reason inside, and see every Rd 1 team.

Kurtley Beale has been named to start for defending champions Randwick in round one of the Shute Shield, however coach Stephen Hoiles has a contingency plan if the former Wallabies star is emotionally overcome by his brother’s funeral on Friday.

Beale will bury his younger brother William, who passed away unexpectedly two weeks ago, in western Sydney and will be given all the care and understanding to withdraw from the match against Hunter Wildfires in Newcastle.

“He has got his brother’s funeral tomorrow (Friday) so we do have a contingency, to be fair he’s probably had a harder couple of weeks now than that Brothers game because the reality of what’s happened has set in, and he’s still grieving,” Hoiles told this masthead.

Kurtley Beale is named but not guaranteed to play for Randwick in their Shute Shield opener this weekend. Picture: Getty Images

“And he’s taken on a lot of the responsibility of getting the funeral up and ready for his family, he’s had a lot of weight on his shoulders.

“I’m not certain about this week, I do have a plan if he has a tough day tomorrow and turns around and says ‘It’s all too hard’.

“Assuming he does play, I’m really excited. You know what he can do, you know he brings value to a team, but I’ve really enjoyed the other guys latch onto him, the centres have spent heaps of time with his talking about the game.”

Beale returned to the rugby field two days after William passed, to play in the Australian Club Championship match against Brothers in Brisbane, which Randwick lost.

But 35-year-old Beale showed his unique class in a 35-minute display, then backed it up playing the full 80 minutes in a trial last weekend at fullback against Eastwood.

Randwick head coach Stephen Hoiles during the official 2024 Charter Hall Shute Shield season launch at North Sydney Oval. Photo by Karen Watson.

Hoiles has already seen enough from the playmaker to believe he’ll pick up a Super Rugby or overseas contract this year – Beale is eligible to be an injury replacement for any of the five Australian franchises.

Beale was cleared of rape charges earlier this year, which prevented him from playing for NSW Waratahs last year and had many believing his rugby career was finished.

“He was really good against Brothers, he’s kept his speed, he’s got spark. I actually think there is a physical benefit of him missing so much rugby over the past 15 months, he’s been able to put time into his body and his life and his family,” Hoiles said.

“He’s looking really good as a result, he hasn’t taken 30 games of contact in that time.

“He’s got so much knowledge inside that brain of his.

Kurtley Beale in action for Randwick during the Club Rugby Championship match against Brothers. Picture: Getty Images

“I always thought [Beale receiving a professional contract] was part of it before he came back, but having seen him play, I know there’s a process involved and teams need a certain amount of injuries, and it just so happens the Tahs don’t have any injuries in their backs, their injuries are all in their front row, so there’s not an option there at the moment, but as the season goes on opportunities will present themselves,” Hoiles said.

“Hopefully that’s here in Australia. But if not, somewhere else there will. I’m sure they already are to be fair.”

Beale’s former Wallabies teammate Isi Naisarani is another big name featuring in round one for Sydney University.

The 29-year-old was rehabilitating an injury with the help of Uni coach Todd Louden and director of rugby Nick Ryan – who he both played under at Melbourne Rebels – and is now starting at No.8 in their match against Norths.

“He’s been outstanding, he’s been mentoring a lot of the Colts and players around him,” Louden said.

Former Wallaby Isi Naisarani has been named for Sydney University. Picture: AAP

“He’s a reserved character, goes about his business and gets things done. But he hasn’t come and expected anything really, he’s just put his head down and worked hard, and given to club as much as he can.”

Western Sydney Two Blues have also secured a major overseas talent, unveiling the powerful George Risale as their No.8 in their home game against Gordon at Granville’s Eric Tweedale Stadium.

Risale has been playing as a professional for years in Japan’s leagues, but has answered the call from Two Blues coach Sailosi Tagicakibau to boost his forward pack.

Elsewhere, the son of Canberra Raiders legend Noa Nadruku – Neori Nadruku – starts at loosehead prop for Manly against Eastwood.

Neori Nadruku pictured at St Mary's Leagues stadium, playing for Australian Schools against Tongan schools on Saturday 14th July, 2012. Pic:Mitch Cameron

THE TEAMS

Shute Shield Round One

(All games on Saturday at 3.05pm)

Hunter Wildfires vs Randwick, Newcastle Sports Ground No.2

Wildfires: 15. Ethan Morgan 14. Isaac Ulberg 13. Thomas Watson 12. Ueta Tufuga 11. Deon Evans-Ao 10. Nathan de Thierry 9. Nick Murray 8. Asaeli Lehauli 7. Donny Freeman 6. Elyjah Crosswell 5. Rob Puli’uvea 4. Ben Wood 3. Bo Abra 2. Hamish Moore 1. Tau Koloamatangi.

Randwick: 15. James Hendren 14. Christian Yassmin 13. Jayden Blake 12. Nick Chan 11. Triston Reiley 10. Kurtley Beale 9. Tim Sippel 8. Ben Houston (captain) 7. Joel Ellis 6. Mitch Watts 5. Angus Houston 4. Tom Nowlan 3. Paulo Leleisiuao 2. Ben Sugars 1. Olly Adkins.

Sydney University vs Northern Suburbs, University Oval No.2

Sydney Uni: 15. Tim Clements 14. Jack Matthews 13. Sione Taufui 12. Eddie Poolman 11. Josh Calvert 10. Sam Bignold 9. Theo Strang 8. Isi Naisarani 7. Sam Allsopp 6. Angus Allen 5. Isaac Rumble 4. Luke Ratcliff 3. Bradley Amituanai 2. Ciaran Loh 1. Paddy Tagg.

Norths: 15. Matt Ryan 14. Porikapa Tukaki 13. Nathan Russell 12. Tauteau Taufa 11. Carrick McDonough 10. Jude Gibbs 9. Roan Frostwick 8. Luke Gersekowski (captain) 7. Brodie Leber 6. Boston Kerapa 5. Tom Smith 4. Saxon Gillies 3. Michael Scott 2. James Margan 1. George Thornton.

West Harbour vs Eastern Suburbs, Concord Oval

West Harbour: 15. Matthew Whelan 14. Callum Sirker 13. Taine Rush 12. Scott King 11. Vuate Karawalevu 10. James Faiva 9. Dion Spice 8. Visiano Vaohea 7. Toby Adlington 6. Damien Fleming 5. Micah Aish-Gillard 4. Jordan Brown 3. Vaotangi Mafi 2. Haitoni Hafoka 1. Titi Sonny Satuala.

Easts: 15. Harry Wilson 14. Cooper Whiteside 13. Mosese Tuipulotu 12. Fabian Goodall 11. Calum Randle 10. Jack Bowen 9. Seb Strang 8. George Gibson 7. Jamie Adamson 6. Josh Bokser (captain) 5. Harison Mataele 4. Ben Smith 3. Vunipola Fifita 2. Moli Sooaemalelagi 1. Faalelei Sione.

Eastwood vs Manly, TG Millner Field

Eastwood: 15. Lucas Vass 14. JL Bacon 13. Reece Tapine 12. Angus Blackmore 11. Michael Stringer 10. Harry Snook 9. Tom Goddard 8. Jimmy Hokafonu 7. Harry Turner 6. Ratu Tuisese 5. Julian Zissis 4. Jack Parsons 3. Dion Yazdani 2. Lachlan Frean 1. Alex Pappalardo.

Manly: 15. Ollie Horne 14. Fraser Toohey 13. Conway Fraser 12. Angus Bell 11. Byron Sharwood 10. Robbie McIntosh 9. Ruaan Du Plooy 8. Benjamin Gleeson 7. Hunter Ward 6. Sam Fischli 5. Rory Bartle 4. Justin Mataele 3. Maka Mafileo 2. Aaron Blacklock 1. Neori Nadruku.

Southern Districts vs Warringah, Forshaw Rugby Park

Souths: 15. Rihari Wilson 14. Declan Mulcahy 13. Isaac Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens 12. Lumafale Lualua 11. Oscar Schmidt-Uili 10. William Thomas (captain) 9. Liam Blyde 8. Phil Potgieter 7. Alan Fitzgerald 6. Victor Alofaki 5. Sean Rigney 4. Mark O’Reilly 3. Duke Nginingini 2. James Douglas 1. Isaac Clark.

Warringah: 15. Ben Marr (captain) 14. Ben Woollett 13. Komiti Tuilagi 12. Tyson Davis 11. Harvey Elms 10. Coby Miln 9. Ben Fuhiniu 8. Chlayton Frans 7. Rory Suttor 6. Charlie McKill 5. Dane Terekia 4. Sam Thomson 3. Pat La Torraca 2. Wes Thomas 1. Tonga Tangitau.

Western Sydney Two Blues vs Gordon, Eric Tweedale Stadium

Two Blues: 15. Christian Papas 14. Nik Vikena 13. Sitiveni Moceidreke 12. Abel Magalogo 11. Tailiki Nadredre 10. Reece Suesue 9. Rilloy Suesue 8. George Risale 7. Heremoni Nepo 6. Marcel Faaofo 5. Manasa Rokosuka 4. Dan Faleafa (captain) 3. Airi Hunt 2. David Meki 1. Kaynan Siteine-Tua.

Gordon: 15. Will Kaye 14. Oliver Arcus 13. Kainoa Gudgeon 12. Barrie Karea 11. Brandon Quinn 10. Witika Rees-Hatu 9. Sam Babb 8. Milan Basson 7. Tom Horan 6. Hugh Margin 5. Cameron Wood 4. Jack Margin 3. Oliver Hannan 2. Will Bremner 1. Liam Usher.

Originally published as Kurtley Beale no guarantee to play Shute Shield opener as teams revealed for round one