His actions might not always show it, but troubled star Kurtley Beale insisted he is fully aware how fortunate he is to be back in the Wallabies fold after a tumultuous few months.
Beale’s commitment to the Wallabies cause was called into question again last week following his 4am visit to Hungry Jacks with team-mate and fellow ‘Amigo’ James O’Connor.
The 24-year-old spent two weeks in rehab for alcohol-related issues in May but was rushed into the squad for the first two Tests against the British and Irish Lions and started at full-back in Saturday’s 16-15 victory in Melbourne.
He had a mixed night in Australia’s narrow win but has vowed to repay the faith in the series decider in Sydney next weekend.
“I’m a very lucky man to be back here as a part of this special group,” Beale said.
“To be a part of it’s just amazing, I’m very grateful and now it’s just up to me to be actually just doing my role within the team and try and help out wherever I can.
“Obviously it’s a big game next week.”
Asked if he was worried his latest early-morning venture would cost him his spot in the squad, Beale replied: “No not really, I mean I didn’t break any protocol or anything like that – maybe with the nutritionist – but I was fine.
“We had the day off the next day and continued on with preparation.”
Coach Robbie Deans, sitting alongside Beale and O’Connor at a press conference on Sunday, leapt to Beale’s defence.
“The group’s lucky to have Kurtley as well, as much as he’s lucky to be here we’re lucky to have him,” Deans said.
“He’s a quality bloke within the group who has some unique capabilities.
“Everyone’s got different things going on in their life, but Kurtley’s has been very public, so to stand up to that sort of scrutiny and also perform on a very public stage is a very good effort.”
Beale added when asked how he handled the disappointment of missing two potentially match-winning kicks late in the first Lions Test in Brisbane: “I just had to obviously keep moving on, I couldn’t let my role within the team affect the guys around me.
“I had to keep upbeat and keep my body language up, and I felt I did that.
“Obviously it did affect me a little bit but in life you’ve got to go forward and it’s the same in rugby.
“You’ve got to bounce back and we had a great opportunity last night.”
Article source: http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/examiner-plus/2013/06/19/pete-barrow-so-far-so-good-but-so-what-for-england-rugby-league-86081-33493150/
Rugby Union Beale grateful for Wallabies reprieve
No comments:
Post a Comment