- Scans confirmed Beale ruptured his Achilles tendon
- Kurtley Beale’s rugby career could be over
- He had been targeting a dream Wallabies comeback.
The career of resurrected Wallaby Kurtley Beale could end with confirmation the veteran requires surgery after rupturing his Achilles tendon playing club rugby.
Days into a new era for the Wallabies and new coach Joe Schmidt, who called up 35-year-old Beale to his 38-man squad, teammates were reeling from the shock news.
Beale, who last week said he was driven by the quest to go from 95 Wallabies 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 being an outsider only to make an instant international return in Saturday’s Test against Wales.
But after coming off the bench, Beale fell untouched in the backfield and had to be helped off the field with scans on Monday that showed the worst.
“It’s very sad and we all feel for Kurtley,” Wallabies flanker Fraser McReight said on Monday.
“It’s not something anyone wants to hear – someone who’s hurting their Achilles or has a significant injury like that. I’m sure everyone has sent him a message and they’re very sorry.”
The Wallabies have confirmed the worst-case scenario for Kurtley Beale, with scans showing the 35-year-old has recovered his Achilles tendon.
Beale had returned to rugby this Superseason with the Western Force after a 12-month break following serious legal charges, of which he was cleared.
Andrew Kellaway, who will play a key role in the Wallabies’ backline alongside Tom Wright, who is the favourite to play at full-back against Wales, said Beale’s teammates were excited to have him back.
Beale had returned to the team after being banned from rugby for 12 months following legal charges, of which he was acquitted.
“It could be anyone, but it’s horrible to see,” Kellaway said.
‘Worse still, KB is someone I grew up watching and eventually played with, he’s someone I consider a close companion.
“It’s sad to see him on the brink and then get back to where he wants to be. We were all excited to have him back.”
Amid some uproar over Beale’s inclusion in 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 has starred in various roles for the Wallabies throughout his long career.
“Game sense is a difficult thing to train,” Schmidt said.
‘He just sees the game. Sometimes I think as players get older they see it, but maybe it’s hard for them to get it. But he’s done it pretty well.
David Feliuai also left the Wallabies camp for “personal reasons” ahead of Saturday’s clash and Joey Walton was added as his replacement.
Schmidt has yet to confirm his 23-man lineup.