Loss too raw for Beale to see good

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 departed New Zealand having come so close to snapping a 17year 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 and that one really just 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 the Wallabies No. 12 picked up SBW and dumped him.

Beale’s try in the 75th minute allowed the Wallabies to retake the lead for the second time in the last 20 minutes.

It was composure and competitiveness rarely seen by an Australian team against a Kiwi rival this year, or even the past two years.

“We always believed,” Beale said. “We believed in a performance for a full 80 minutes and I felt like we had that tonight.

“You give those guys the ball, that kind of half ( chance), they turn it into points.

“That was a bit disappointing to finish the way it did and so we’ve just got to try and soak it in and try and remember this one so when we come back next time, we’ll be playing with a lot to prove.”

Beale defended 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. Just unfortunate that it hit the post,” Beale said.