Beale’s Wallabies return in jeopardy after Achilles injury

Kurtley Beale will learn on Monday if his Wallabies comeback is over before it has even started when he undergoes scans on a suspected Achilles tendon injury suffered while playing for Randwick on Saturday.

Beale came on as a substitute against Easts but was injured in the 59th minute and limped off the field at Woollahra Oval with the help of medical staff.

It is unclear if Beale was in contention for a spot in the Wallabies’ run-on side for Saturday’s Test against Wales in Sydney, but coach Joe Schmidt had agreed to release the 35-year-old to get some game time in the Shute Shield fixture before potential opportunities against Wales in Melbourne on July 13 and Georgia in Sydney on July 20.

Beale requested to play for Randwick and was cleared to do so by the Wallabies on Friday afternoon.

But if scans show a serious injury, his chances of playing in any of the July Tests will be in major doubt, and could even jeopardise his goal of playing 100 Tests for the Wallabies. He currently has 95 Test caps.

Having been out of the game for 12 months as he fought sexual assault charges, Beale joined the Western Force as injury cover in April before being a surprise selection in Schmidt’s first Australia squad.

Kurtley Beale was named in the Wallabies squad for July’s Test series.

Beale, who last played for the Wallabies in 2021, spoke of his pride at joining the squad last week.

“When you’re sitting out on the sidelines for a long stint, you certainly learn to appreciate what you have and how special the Wallaby jersey is,” Beale said. “Representing your country in front of your family and friends at the top level is the ultimate.

“It’s the pinnacle of the game and it’s just an absolute honour and whilst you can still do it. You feel that you can still do it, that’s always the motivation is to prove yourself against the best in your country but then also internationally.”

Last week, Beale also spoke about his wish to continue playing for the Force ahead of next year’s British and Irish Lions tour to Australia.

“I really enjoyed my time at this Force and I think I’ve mentioned, a big carrot would be part of [having] another crack at the British and Irish Lions tour,” he said.

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