‘Lot of emotion’: Recalled Wallaby opens up on dark times

Recalled Wallaby Kurtley Beale says the lure of playing 100 Tests for Australia drove him through some dark times and separation from the game as he pledged to play anywhere in new coach Joe Schmidt’s side.

Beale, who played the first of his 95 Tests for the Wallabies in 2008 and hasn’t been a part of the national team since an SOS during the spring tour of Europe in 2021, is in Brisbane with the squad with an eye on the clash against Wales in Sydney on July 6.

The now 35-year-old had been somewhat exiled from the game as he defended himself against sexual offences for which he was found not guilty in February.

A month later he returned to club rugby in Sydney before being lured to Perth to finish out the Super Rugby season with the Western Force.

Back in the national set-up, Beale said he was “humbled” and even shed a tear when he got the call he thought might never come.

“I’m humbled. Yeah, a lot of emotions there,” Beale said from the Wallabies camp in Brisbane on Monday.

“I’m just super excited to be among the guys again and really excited for the opportunity ahead. It’s been a while now but I’m ready to rip in.”

Forced to train on his own during the court case, having been stood down by Rugby Australia, Beale said he never lost faith or belief he could return to the top level.

“Although you’d think at the time it’s a long shot, I always had a lot of self-belief,” he said.

“A lot of training on my own just allowed me to put myself in the best spot mentally and physically and having the right people around me as well really helped.”

Now he’s back, Beale sees milestones in his future, particularly getting to the exclusive 100-Test club.

“It’s a huge milestone within the game and you can almost dedicate everything to the game coming straight from school,” Beale said.

“It’s been a part of my life like forever now, so these are little things that are huge motivators for me.

“It allows me to have that real purpose and it allows me to get up and go to training every day with a real strong purpose and intent to be able to go out there and go for gold.”

Beale is one of 17 backs in Schmidt’s 38-player squad and having played fullback, wing, centre and five-eighth for Australia, he said he would take whatever role was thrown his way.

“It’s not going to be given to me and I understand that,” he said of earning a 96th cap.

“The exciting thing is being able to test yourself against some of the best up-and-coming players in the country.

“If the fire wasn’t in the belly, I don’t think I’d be sitting here. If I didn’t think I’d add anything it would be a different story, but you know, having time away and having that experience that’s under my belt allows me to come back and put my best foot forward.”