First-time fatherhood and wearing the Wallabies jersey again are Kurtley Beale’s grand plans beyond celebrating another First Nations landmark this week.
He is no immediate replacement for Tom Banks, the fullback who broke his arm in a sickening landing after soaring for a kick-off against England in the Perth Test last Saturday.
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Running at full tilt again is still the more humble goal for Beale, who faces eight weeks of committed rehab to strengthen the hamstring he ruptured badly in February when playing for French club Racing 92.
Now 33, Beale today seemed refreshed and eager for the challenges ahead to make himself a viable option to play fullback at the Rugby World Cup in France next year.
The 95-Test stalwart breezed briefly into the orbit of the Wallabies on the Gold Coast to show off the Wallabies’ First Nations jersey for Saturday night’s second Test against England at Suncorp Stadium.
This time as a spectator, it will be a proud moment for Beale to see the jersey worn by the Wallabies and them singing the national anthem in a First Nations language.
It will be a high-profile celebration in NAIDOC week. The Wallabies are taking lessons this week to learn the words and pronunciation of the national anthem they will sing in the Yugambeh language.
“I’m still out injured. I just landed back in Australia four days ago. I’m getting some scan results back and a rehab program sorted for Sydney,” Beale said at the Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre on the Gold Coast.
“The medical staff are saying eight weeks to get me back fitting fit with some running volume in my legs.
“I’m hoping to be available for the latter stages of The Rugby Championships.
“(Wife) Maddi has got a bub on the way now...it’s all happening.”
Beale would love to have fresh form on the board to be in selection contention to play the All Blacks in Melbourne (September 15) and Auckland (September 24).
A comeback for the Wallabies camps to prepare for South Africa in August-September is likely.
Being recalled to play three Tests under a new coach, Dave Rennie, in Europe late last year lit a fuse within Beale.
It put in clear context what he had with French club Racing 92 but something bigger that was missing.
“Absolutely, it lit the fire. When you step away from the game in Australia and the Wallabies jersey, it’s obviously a special honour you’re not a part of anymore,” Beale said.
“Dave was very transparent in what he needs from me and where I need to be to achieve further honours.
“It's a young group. I'm one of the oldest now and there’s a responsibility with that. I just want to be playing my part to get the best out of each other.”
Beale got a buzz watching the Wallabies storm home over England in Perth to break an eight-Test losing streak against a long-time enemy. He’d been stung in three of them.
He likes the Rennie touch and the traits he instills in the Wallabies.
“Dave is a calm, collected guy. He gets the best out of you having that individual personal touch,” Beale said.
“You’ve seen that on the weekend. It was gutsy and there was character coming out of the guys. They were led well, they were calm, there was no panic and the guys got the job done.
“You want to be a part of that. You do feel something is brewing here. For me, at the back end of my career, you want to be involved in those moments.”
Beale has clearly done some reflecting on what he wants from the final 16 months of his international career.
Winning just five of his 22 Tests against the All Blacks is a better ledger than some but it’s still a landslide of inferiority against the All Blacks. A fourth World Cup?
“I went to Europe (after the 2019 World Cup)...Champions Cup, Top 14, tough rugby, testing yourself against the best. It was a new challenge for me away from home,” Beale said.
“It also made me more aware of where I needed to be at backend of career and that’s represent my country at the highest level while I can.
“I’ve come home to play my part in achieving the things I want to achieve in the game.
“There are a few accolades to focus on. I’ve always said another World Cup would be nice. And the Bledisloe...it could be the last (chance to win it).
“Those are the things you want to be waking up for.”
Beale was generous in his praise for Andrew Kellaway stepping up at fullback for the injured Banks at a clutch time against England in Perth.
He knows he has a fight on his hands to get the No.15 jersey on his back again.
“Absolutely. I’m a competitive bloke and ready to fight for a position in that environment that makes us all better,” Beale said.
“That’s why this program over the next eight weeks is vital so I’m making an impact from the get-go.
“Kellaway stepped up brilliantly. There were a couple of classy touches like those very silky hands for the Jordie (Petaia) try. He’s performing well.
“It’s very disappointing for Banksy. It’s really sad to see him get injured in that game. He’s a top bloke and team man. I wish him a speedy recovery.”
Beale had a cautionary warning for Australians imagining that playing in France was anything but a demanding, constant diet of rugby.
“Mentally, I’m using this time away to freshen up and re-set,” Beale said.
“Top 14 is a bit of a slog. You are constantly on. Your body is disrespected in that regard.
“The French roll you out each week without any understanding of the long-term effects. Hence, probably why the injury happened...constant playing and poor management.
“It is what it is. I guess when you come back the program here is more high-performance based and specific. I’m sure I’ll have a specific program so I’m able to play the best rugby I can.”
Beale’s hamstring injury came after a long stretch of games where he nearly always played 80 minutes. He played for Racing 92 the week before his first Test on tour and the week after his last.
“It was quite a heavy load there but I kind of knew that going over there,” he added.
Having the anthem sung in the Yugambeh language of the late Lloyd McDermott holds a special meaning for Beale.
McDermott was a pioneer for Indigenous rugby. He played Tests as a winger and championed opportunities for young players in the Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development teams.
Beale and McDermott were two of the 14 waterholes in the first Indigenous jersey design in 2017 that represented the 14 Indigenous players to become Wallabies to that point.
“’Lloydy’ did great work to improve opportunities for Indigenous rugby players," Beale said.
“He is no longer with us but I still remember what he told me in Brisbane in 2017 when we were preparing to wear that jersey for the first time against the All Blacks.
“Don’t underestimate how powerful this is going to be for our generation and the next for our kids and all kids in Australia, especially in the game of rugby.
