Wallabies looking to turn pain of defeat into victory
Kurtley Beale says the Wallabies can use the hurt of the last-gasp loss to the All Blacks in Bledisloe Cup 2 as motivation to get a much-needed win over their Tasman rivals in Brisbane on Saturday.
Beale was a late try scorer in the 35-29 defeat in Dunedin as the Wallabies blew a big chance to end a 16-year losing drought on New Zealand soil.
The Waratahs centre said there was no talk of a dead rubber ahead of the third clash between the two sides this year and said the players would be using that last-up loss as inspiration at Suncorp Stadium.
“Yeah I think so,” Beale said when asked if players would have that loss on their minds on Saturday night.
“Some guys might forget about it, some others might still be hurt by it and use it to advantage on the weekend. I think we have a really good balance.
“Even though it did hurt in the end, I think individually in my own game it felt good to be part of a huge game like that.
“Looking how far we came from the week before gave me a lot of confidence in guys around me.
“It allowed me to look forward with excitement and enthusiasm to keep building and learning off each other to try to reach that No.1 spot that we want.”
After defensive lapses in the two previous meetings with the All Blacks this season, Beale said he was confident the Wallabies were more assured in their defensive roles this time round.
“Defensively it’s all about attitude,” Beale said.
“If guys are ready from the first whistle I think we’ll put ourselves in a really good position to aim up in our defence.
“If we are urgent around that from the start I feel like we have got the confidence in our defensive structures to be able to shut them down.
“It’s easy to say that but it’s a matter of getting out there and doing it.
“You can’t lose focus for a second or they’ll come back and pounce on you and take that opportunity and turn it into points.”
Beale put in a good performance against star All Black Sonny Bill Williams in Dunedin after the 32-year-old came under pressure in the New Zealand press for his recent showings.
The former Wasps star said Williams was still up there with the best and was expecting a big game from his opposite number.
“Sonny Bill is no different; another guy who can create something out of nothing,” Beale said.
“Obviously a world-class player, another danger man.
“It’s just going to be a huge challenge –
No.1 to No.15 to get on top of your man.
“We’ll be doing everything possible to try to shut those threats down.”