Coach Les Kiss has recalled veteran playmaker Kurtley Beale to Australia's spring tour squad, saying the 37-year-old is in consideration for the Rugby World Cup squad as he adds depth to the group.
Beale answered Kiss's call for next month's three Tests against England, Scotland and Wales, before the inaugural Nations Championship finals from November 21-23. The recall comes after midfielder Hunter Paisami dropped out of the squad for personal reasons, opening the door for the 95-cap Wallaby to play his first game in the green and gold since 2021.
Beale's Role in the Squad
Kiss insisted Beale is not joining the camp for fun's sake as the race for Australia's No 10 spot heats up ahead of next year's home World Cup. The coach needs to settle on a flyhalf for the global showpiece, with a number of playmakers struggling to hold down the spot over the years.
"No one comes in just to fill a void. All the decisions I've made along the way with the full backing of the coaches are because we're trying to build depth in different areas," Kiss said. "It's important that this is not just feeling it and hoping. We just want to make sure it works. And he's in there to perform."
Kiss added: "The feedback I got from Nic White, Simon Cron and Brad Harris from the Force is he's been super quality around the group in terms of holistically just helping drive the program, similar to James O'Connor."
Bledisloe Cup Aftermath and Flyhalf Options
After the Wallabies suffered two Bledisloe Cup defeats, Beale's experience is set to be embraced. "We just need him in that space, and he'll bring his experience … I know he's hungry to do what he can," the coach said of the three-time World Cup playmaker.
Kiss said he is pleased with the Wallabies' current crop of No 10s and will reassess the position after the next Super Rugby Pacific season. "I like the fact that we've given the younger guys a chance to grow with all that, without the experience sitting on their shoulders," he said. "I can't fault how they [10s] do their work … 'Dono' [Ben Donaldson] against South Africa showed really good qualities in how he took that game on. Declan [Meredith] in that game [second Bledisloe Cup Test], he owned really important moments. There's certainly a few little things … that he could have done better."
Injury Boost for Tom Hooper
In a welcome boost, back-rower Tom Hooper has been cleared of injury after he was taken from the field during his club clash last Saturday. Hooper was in doubt for the Nations Championship after he picked up an injury on the same shoulder where he suffered a scapula hairline fracture against Ireland in July.
"With that scapular issue that he has, if he gets a blow on it it's just sorer," Kiss said. "All scans have cleared everything. All his movements are coming back, and he's going to join the camp in a good way, which is bloody fantastic for him."
Kiss said the upcoming Tests were crucial for the Australians, who first face England on 8 November (9 November AEDT). "We've got England coming up, an extremely experienced team. Twickenham, there's no better place in rugby in a lot of ways, in terms of those wonderful battles between Australia and England," he said. "There are real challenges that we know are ahead of us, but that's what we need. This is the last window before we close out into what will become a massive year for every country."
