Worst news confirmed for Kurtley Beale’s Wallabies comeback after rape ordeal: ‘It’s super sad’
- Scans confirmed that Beale had ruptured his Achilles tendon
- Kurtley Beale’s rugby career could be over
- He had been aiming for a dream Wallabies return
The career of resurrected Wallaby Kurtley Beale could be over after it is confirmed the veteran will undergo surgery after rupturing his Achilles tendon playing club rugby.
Days after a new era began for the Wallabies and new coach Joe Schmidt recalled the 35-year-old Beale to his 38-man squad, his teammates were still in shock at the shock news.
Beale, who said last week he wanted to go from 95 Wallaby caps to 100 and join an exclusive club, now faces a significant rehabilitation period.
He was released to play for Randwick in the Shute Shield after making an immediate international comeback as an outside back in Saturday’s Test match against Wales.
But after coming off the bench, Beale went down untouched in the backfield and had to be helped off the field on Monday with scans that you’d say were the worst.
“It’s super sad and everyone sympathizes with Kurtley,” Wallabies winger Fraser McReight said on Monday.
“It’s not something anyone really wants to hear: someone who’s struggling with their Achilles tendon or a serious injury like that. I’m sure everyone has messaged him and really feels for him.”
The Wallabies have confirmed the worst-case scenario for Kurtley Beale, with scans showing the 35-year-old has returned his Achilles tendon
Beale had returned to rugby this Super Season with the Western Force after a 12-month hiatus due to serious legal charges, from which he was acquitted.
Andrew Kellaway, who will play a key role in the Wallabies’ defense alongside Tom Wright, who is favorite to play at fullback against Wales, said Beale’s teammates were happy to have him back.
Beale had returned to rugby after being kicked out of rugby for 12 months due to legal charges. He was acquitted.
“It could be anyone, but it’s horrible to see,” Kellaway said.
“Worse, KB is someone I watched play as a kid and played with later. He is someone I consider a good friend.
‘It’s terrible to see him on the edge of the abyss and then back where he wants to be. We were all happy to have him back.”
Amid some shock over Beale’s inclusion after just a handful of Super Rugby games for the Western Force this year, new coach Schmidt said few people could play the game like the veteran who played in various roles for the Wallabies has played. .
“It’s difficult to train that game insight,” Schmidt said.
‘He just sees the game. Sometimes I think as players get older they see it but might have trouble landing it. But he lands it pretty well.”
David Feliuai has also left the Wallabies training camp ahead of Saturday’s match due to ‘personal reasons’. Joey Walton has been added as his replacement.
Schmidt has yet to confirm his 23-man line-up.