Kurtley Beale’s Wallabies comeback could be over as quickly as it began.
The 35-year-old, who was announced in Joe Schmidt’s maiden 38-man Wallabies squad last week, was helped from the field in Randwick’s 50-37 win over Eastern Suburbs in the Shute Shield on Saturday afternoon.
Beale wore the No.23 jersey and came off the bench during the win, but his return to the Galloping Greens didn’t last long after being helped off in the 59th minute.
The Wallabies veteran went down like hit by a sniper in the back field with Easts in possession near their 22-metre line.
The Roar was on the sidelines when Beale was taken off.
Kurtley Beale was helped off the field during Randwick’s local derby against. Photo: Christy Doran
It’s understood the 95-capped Wallaby, who most recently played against Wales in late 2021, suffered a suspected Achilles injury.
The devastating injury has the potential of ending his career just months after it was reignited by a return to Super Rugby with the Western Force. It came after a 12-month standdown by Rugby Australia following an off-field incident, which he was later cleared of.
It’s believed Beale was released to play for Randwick after not being in the picture to play against Wales in Sydney next weekend.
Tom Wright is favourite to wear the No.15 jersey for the Wallabies, with Andrew Kellaway likely to appear on the wing.
Earlier in the week Beale told The Roar in Brisbane his Wallabies recall hadn’t been so much of a shock but a relief.
“Not so much a shock,” Beale said. “[I’ve] been pondering it for a while now.
“Having the year off kind of allowed me to get myself ready physically, mentally, spiritually.
“Watching the guys, especially at the World Cup, yeah, a lot of emotions there – it kept the fire in the belly going.”
Kurtley Beale during a Wallabies training session at Ballymore Stadium on June 27, 2024. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Beale said one of the reasons why he might stay at the Western Force next year was the prospect of playing in next year’s series against the British and Irish Lions and the desire to become the first Indigenous player to play 100 Tests for the Wallabies.
“It’s a huge milestone within the game,” Beale said.
“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 an intent to be able to go out there and go for gold.
“I really enjoyed my time at this Force and a big carrot would be part of [having] another crack at the British and Irish Lions tour.
“So if that’s got to be at the Force and then work my way through there then, yeah, that’d be great. But we’re still in negotiations at the moment.”