Wounded Wallabies feel the pain over gallant defeat

KURTLEY Beale said the Wallabies’ defeat in Dunedin “cuts the heart” but the new generation of Australian talent emerging in the Test arena brings hope for the future.

The Aussies remained a wounded bunch as they left New Zealand, having come so close to snapping a 17-year drought on Kiwi soil and defying the record $12 odds.

After some dark times in rugby, most of Australia took heart from the Wallabies’ fightback but the gutted players couldn’t see past the pain enough to focus on positives.

“That one really hurts, heartbreaking stuff,” Beale said. “Huge effort from the lads, couldn’t ask anything more.

“A couple of handling errors cost us in the end and that was just a true Test match. Both teams played to the very end and it’s just unfortunate that we were put in that position in the end. That really cuts the heart a bit.” Beale was one of a number of outstanding players in Dunedin, particularly in defence. He helped shut down the Sonny Bill Williams threat and at one point picked up SBW and dumped him.

His try in the 75th minute allowed the Wallabies to retake the lead for the second time in the last 20 minutes. Beale jumped to the defence of goalkicker Bernard Foley, who hit the post three times and missed another for nine lost points.

“He’s gone through his own processes and he’s striking the ball very well,’’ he said. “It’s just unfortunate it hit the post.”