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Confirmed: Kurtley Beale departs Waratahs with immediate effect
The NSW Waratahs can confirm that Kurtley Beale will not return for Super Rugby AU, after being released from the remainder of his contract.
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It was announced in May that Beale would not be returning to Daceyville in 2021 and following the COVID-19 shutdown it’s been agreed that he take up that opportunity with immediate effect.
In his eleventh season for his home state, Beale has been an icon of the organisation’s famous sky-blue jersey – equalling Benn Robinson’s all-time appearance record (148) in his final outing as a Waratah.
Beale leaves New South Wales having amassed 162 Super Rugby appearances – 14 of those for the Melbourne Rebels – in a career that has featured a Championship win (2014) and countless individual accolades.
At test level, Beale has been a prominent feature in Wallaby gold, appearing 92 times right across the backline. A John Eales Medal winner in 2011, Beale has been a part of three Rugby World Cup campaigns (2011, 2015, 2019).
This season saw Beale take up the role of vice-captain under Rob Simmons, a position that saw him take an active role in guiding a young group of backs through the initial part of the season.
Beale paid tribute to teammates and support staff both past and present.
“I’ve spent most of my career in my home state representing the Waratahs, it’s been an honour,” Beale said.
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“I’m thankful for the many great people I’ve met over the journey and will cherish the memories I’ve made over the last eleven seasons.
“It’s a bittersweet moment to be leaving a place you’ve called home for such a long time, but this is an exciting opportunity to play overseas and the time is right to begin the next chapter in my career.
“I wish the boys all the best for the domestic season, it’s an exciting time for this group with plenty of guys who will carry on the traditions of the Waratahs for years to come.”
The prospect of more offshore-based @wallabies donning the green and gold of Australia has taken a step closer to coming to fruition.https://t.co/VTUkg9k0kV
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 22, 2020
NSW Waratahs head coach, Rob Penney praised Beale and his influence on the squad in his short time at the Waratahs.
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“Kurtley is an extremely talented player and synonymous with rugby in Australia,” Penney said.
“We’ve been lucky enough to have him at the Waratahs for a large portion of his career and the influence he’s had over our organisation’s success can’t be understated.
“He’s played a pivotal role in guiding through some of our younger guys this season, embracing his position as a senior player in the squad and contributing positively to what we’re trying to achieve as a group.
“The [COVID-19] shutdown has presented different situations for individuals and Kurtley heads overseas with our blessing and best wishes.”
Rugby Australia’s director of rugby, Scott Johnson said: “Kurtley has been a great contributor for Australian Rugby over many years and I know he still has the desire to represent his country. He remains eligible for the Wallabies and if his form warrants it he will certainly come into calculations for selection.
“Kurtley is aware of where he is at in his career and after deciding his future earlier in the year he is eager to get a head start with his new club. Under the current circumstances we viewed that as a reasonable request and he leaves with our full support.”
– NSW Waratahs
Comments on RugbyPass
You ask good questions, Nick. The group who have put together the proposal to play out of Tarneit and participate in the growing of the ground’s capacity are not a bunch of white knights who have been dragged in post-crisis; they were around whilst the Rebels accummulated $23m in debt. Why do we come up with ideas that might make the franchise affordable after it’s broke and not when it might have prevented the trainwreck this offseason was? As for Gordon/Kellaway v Lolesio/Wright, they are both good options. I think the former are better rugby players but the goal kicking of Noah may be decisive when Schmiddy makes his choices. I know Harry Jones has the hots for Edmed but I think it’s one of his few poor choices and he and Jorgensen aren’t close to the other pairs. By coincidence, the wife and I went into town over the weekend to watch Brian Cox and Patricia Clarkson in Long Day’s Journey into Night. Beautifully acted but it was 3.5 hours in the chair and very hard work. Like the Rebels, there were only small bursts of joy to go with a lot of bad news and a depressing story line. In the end, I was hoping it would end and I could give my sore butt a break. Again, familiar.
32 Go to commentsGood decision, very good player but not international quality. But so was Jamison Gibson Park …..
3 Go to commentsLoose forwards always look good going forward and winning. It’s the same loose forwards for the Crusaders and the Canes this year as last year. Too much of the shiny new things getting noticed here while older consistent ones getting bagged. It’s early days. Calm the farm.
5 Go to commentsThanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
32 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
5 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to commentsYou must have been watching one team, Andrew - and even then you missed the brightest star in the Chiefs pack - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 2 turnovers, genuine line-out presence and grunt around the field, and the soft hands of a back.
5 Go to commentsHaha what a crock of sh!t these headlines are. Moorby’s best year was that first. Still doesn’t seem to have the same game about him as when he was fresh but has bounced back well this season to be playing consistent tight accurate footy
3 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
3 Go to commentsYes, they are traveling well but it’s early days. The Chiefs were in front with 20 to go while they snatched a last minute win v the Reds. Keep calm.
1 Go to commentsThe failure of the Irish system / rugby playing style to produce their own backs has them looking elsewhere for innovation and flair - not that Jordie has much flair. He’s a converted fullback. The Canes have plenty of other younger options.
9 Go to comments1.Watch Wallace Sititi be the wild card AB. A genuine full time no 8 2. Luke J like Sotutu has not delivered. 3. Chiefs have all the right cattle but badly miss the leadership of Webber. LJ is about as unconvincing as Sam Cane when under the pump. They had the winning of that game in the second half then fell apart.
5 Go to commentsYes the Rebels are showing signs of life because they are literally playing for their live -lihoods and thanks to their Australian attack coach. However they are still playing an essentially dull boring south african style for the rest of the time. And Geoff Parling must be the most useless lineout coach ever. Worse than Steve Hansen even. Interestingly we are starting to see more cheap shots and attempts to get away with cheating by Australian players, now they are being influenced by Joe Schmidt. It was exactly the same when Rennie started out as Wallaby coach and thru his tenure. Trying to teach Australians to play like kiwis doesn’t work, as the last 20 years has conclusively demonstrated. Especially when we are not as good at it as kiwis. Which of course is the whole idea …..
32 Go to commentsGreat signing, not sure where he’ll fit in though. As for him ‘playing alongside RG Snyman, that’s highly debatable given the likelyhood that the latter will spend most of the season on sick leave.
9 Go to commentsWowee!
9 Go to commentsEvery team that has played a game in Africa this Champions Cup season is already out of the competition - including the SA teams. Could be a concidence.
30 Go to commentsthat should offer some experiences for Jordie.
9 Go to commentsJust remember: He is not a winger. Took Ian Foster 2 years to figure that out.
9 Go to commentsExcellent article, Nick. We (your RP colleague Brett McKay and my 8/9 Combo cohost), are going to have LSL on our podcast later this month. He has shown consistent excellence as a leader and lock. I’ll chat with you offline about a line of questioning if you have time. H
32 Go to commentsSo no Irish fan or journalist suggested JGP was as good as DuPont. Then even the guy who supposedly did is from Wales and said JGP would be the best around if it was t for DuPont. Right, so what is this story about again
19 Go to comments