Kurtley Beale

Infobox Rugby Union biography
playername = Kurtley Beale


fullname = Kurtley Beale (born Curtly Beale)
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1989|1|6
cityofbirth = Sydney, New South Wales
countryofbirth = Australia
height = 6 ft 0 in (1.84 m)
weight = 14 st 2 lbs (90 kg)
nickname = Kurts
school = St Joseph's College
university =
position = Fly-half
currentclub = Northern Suburbs
NSW Waratahs
clubnumber = 10
youthyears =
youthclubs = Mount Druitt, Penrith
years =
2007 ‐
2007
clubs = Northern Suburbs
NSW Waratahs
Western Sydney Rams
caps(points) = 10 (10)
19 (71)
5 (23)
youthrepyears =
youthrepteam = Australian Schoolboys
youthrepcaps(points) =
repyears = 2007 ‐
repteam = flagicon|AUS Australia A
repcaps(points) =
pcupdate =
repupdate =

Kurtley Beale (b. 6th January, 1989, Western Sydney) is an Australian rugby union player. He is contracted to the NSW Waratahs and the Northern Suburbs Rugby Club. Beale's position of choice is flyhalf.

Career

Youth

Beale was signed to the Waratahs at the age of 16 while still finishing his schooling at St Joseph's College, Hunters Hill. [ [http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23043486-5006067,00.html Beale owes it to his Pop] ] Before leaving school, Beale had captained the Australian Schoolboys, while also narrowly achieving victory over rival school St Ignatius' College, Riverview, on a number of occasions. He was regularly attending training sessions with the NSW Waratahs from the age of 15 and at 17, attended his first Wallabies training camp, on invitation by coach John Connolly. He was compared to former Australian flyhalf Mark Ella due to both his skills and his Aboriginal heritage.

Western Sydney Rams

Beale initiated the inaugural season of the Australian Rugby Championship by starting 5/8 for the Rams in every game. In a stellar season Kurtley was one of the leading try scorers and try-assist's in the competition. The Rams went on to become minor premiers in 2007 thanks to the contribution of Kurtley and other established rugby talents such as Tatafu Polota-Nau, Chris Siale and rising star Lachlan Turner. Beale was justly awarded player of the tournament (2007) in the ARC. [ [http://www.rugby.com.au/news/beale_wins_arc_player_of_the_tournament,71926.html Beale wins ARC Player of the Tournament] ]

NSW

Beale made his Senior NSW debut against ACT in January 2007 in a trial in Wollongong. He scored a his first of many memorable tries; chipping around the winger and out pacing the fullback to score the try after coming on from the bench in the game which NSW won 12-0. Two weeks later, after again coming off the bench, Beale made a late break to assist the winning try against the Crusaders. Coach Ewen McKenzie had stated that Beale would not be rushed into the starting line up and would instead play second fiddle in his debut year behind Daniel Halangahu. However, it was no more than two weeks later that Kurtley made his starting debut against the Sharks at Absa stadium, South Africa only to lose 22-9. The following week in only his second start as flyhalf, Kurtley scored one of the most memorable tries of the season: chipping over the first line defence and stealing the ball out of the fullbacks hands to score his first five pointer in Super 14.

Beale became established as the Waratahs first choice five-eight for the start of the 2008 Super 14 season. He also assumed the goal kicking duties from Peter Hewat ahead of Lachlan Turner, Lote Tuqiri and Brett Sheehan, but Beale's goal kicking is not seen as one of the team's strong points. [ [http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23270555-5002381,00.html Don't believe the Beale hype] ] His defence also became the subject of criticism after the round 2 loss to the Chiefs as NSW were forced to shift him to blindside wing in defence in order to shore up the midfield. [ [http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23301089-5002381,00.html Beale forces Tahs onto Defensive] ]

Australia Selection

Beale made his Australia A debut in the 2007 Pacific Nations Cup. He scored his first try in a 27-15 defeat of Samoa. Soon after Beale narrowly missed out on selection for the 2007 Rugby World Cup. The selectors opting for Queensland Reds flyer Berrick Barnes. Wallabies coach John Connolly selecting Barnes over Beale due to his ability to adapt to the national teams conservative game plan and their narrow attack patterns. Also hindering Beale is his natural ability to take games into his own hands instead of following the blueprint; and while this ability is not frowned upon, the 2007 Rugby World Cup squad doesn't suit Kurtley's famous spontaneity. However, future selection post the 2007 Rugby World Cup seems very likely.

NRL Speculation

The Sydney Roosters, South Sydney Rabbitohs, Cronulla Sharks, Penrith Panthers and Gold Coast Titans have all made approaches. [ [http://www.smh.com.au/news/Sport/Beale-rugby-league-return-possible/2007/02/05/1170524020919.html Beale rugby league return 'possible'] ] [ [http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/news/tahs-fret-league-circles-as-beale-deal-on-hold/2008/01/28/1201369037052.html Tahs fret, league circles as Beale deal on hold] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.nswrugby.com.au/HSBCWaratahs/PlayerProfiles/KurtleyBeale.aspx NSW Rugby profile]