Kurtley Beale’s dream of taking on the British and Irish Lions is alive after the veteran Wallaby signed a new one-year deal with the Western Force.
Beale, 36, was handed a lifeline by the Super Rugby franchise nine months ago when Simon Cron drafted the experienced Wallaby into the side following an injury to Harry Potter.
Despite a four-year hiatus from Super Rugby, Beale immediately made an impact for Cron’s side, slotting in seamlessly at fullback and helping ignite the Force’s backline alongside Wallabies playmaker Ben Donaldson.
Beale’s spark in the second half of the season saw Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt recall the veteran Test player for the first Test camp of the year.
But Beale’s hopes of becoming the first Indigenous player to play 100 Tests were shattered in club rugby as the versatile back suffered an Achilles injury in the Shute Shield that threatened to end his extraordinary career.
Kurtley Beale suffered a season-ending injury in the Shute Shield in June, 2024. Photo: Christy Doran
The injury setback came as Beale was deep in discussions about extending his time with the Force.
Six months later and the two parties have come together, with Beale signing a fresh deal with Cron’s side.
It’s hoped Beale will be fit in the second half of the rejigged 11-team competition, where the top six will make the finals.
“I’m really grateful for the opportunity the Force have offered myself and my family to continue on in my rugby career,” Beale said in a statement.
“We loved our time at the Force last year and I feel I’ll be able to achieve my goals being back in a high-performance environment and highly motivated organisation.
“I’m motivated to be back playing rugby for the Force and helping them push towards a finals series. On a personal level, I want to return in the best possible shape to have the biggest impact on the team.
Kurtley Beale starred in the Force’s big win over the NSW Waratahs at HBF Park, on May 18, 2024, in Perth. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
“Being in Perth is the perfect environment for me right now, allowing me to focus on my work within a strong high-performance program with great staff who’ll push me to get the best results to return as quickly as possible.
“There’s still work to do and we’ll take it on a week-to-week basis but I’m confident with the support of the medical team, coaches and players I’ll be able to see positive results.”
Force general manager of rugby Chris Goodman added that Beale’s impact at the club would extend beyond the playing pitch.
“We’re delighted to offer Kurtley this opportunity, given the impact he made internally on the group last season, both on and off the field, as well as his contribution to Australian rugby and his IP,” he said.
“We know there’s work for him to do to regain full fitness over the next few months, but he is highly motivated. We want to give him the best environment to rehabilitate to get back to his best to help both the Force and his own Wallabies ambitions.
“We also know he’ll add significant value as a leader and mentor with his experience, so we’re thrilled to see him back at Force HQ and offer him this opportunity within Australia.”
Kurtley Beale wants another crack at taking on the Lions in 2025. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Beale has long stated his desire to not only become the 14th Wallaby to play 100 Tests but also get a second crack at taking on the Lions.
Beale infamously slipped over when attempting a match-winning long-range penalty in Brisbane in the opening Lions Test in Brisbane in 2013. He then featured at fullback in their series-levelling win in Melbourne a week later, before the Wallabies were smashed in Sydney.
At the very least Beale will hope to take on the famous touring side for the Force in the opening match of the Lions tour in Perth.
