New zeal for Beale as past scars heal
WALLABIES coach Robbie Deans is confident recalled fullback Kurtley Beale won’t ever put in another shocker like his nightmare game against New Zealand last month.
Beale was dropped from the starting line-up after fumbling and bumbling his way through the Wallabies’ 27-19 loss to the All Blacks in Sydney, before regaining some confidence coming off the bench in the recent 22-0 loss in Auckland.
With the Wallabies in desperate need of some attacking spark for Saturday night’s Rugby Championship clash with South Africa in Perth, Beale has regained his spot at fullback, while winger Dom Shipperley will make his debut in place of
speedster Drew injured (ankle).
Queensland Reds backrower Scott Higginbotham and outside centre Rob Horne were the two biggest casualties from Australia’s winless start to the championship.
Higginbotham has been dropped to the bench in favour of Radike Samo at No.8, while Horne was axed from the squad altogether, paving the way for the ever versatile Adam Ashley-Cooper to switch to outside centre.
But it’s the selection of 23-yearold Beale that has the potential to either make or break the Wallabies against South Africa, and Deans is banking on a polished performance.
Mitchell
‘‘He’s in a better space. I don’t think you’ll see a performance like that from Kurtley again,’’ Deans said yesterday. ‘‘He’s too good a player for a repeat of that.
‘‘It was just one of those nights really. I’ve seen a player that’s very keen not to have a repeat.
‘‘He’s working hard on and off the field. He’s doing his homework, making sure he’s around the detail, which helps in terms of positioning. You’re less likely to get exposed.’’
Deans said Shipperley would provide vital pace out wide.
‘‘He’s a young man that’s brimming full of confidence and he’s very excited,’’ Deans said. ‘‘ He looked like he put on half a yard at training.’’
Shipperley, who has scored 10 tries from just 24 Super Rugby appearances, is doing his best to keep himself grounded as he gears up for a dream Wallabies debut.
The match will see Stephen Moore become the most capped hooker in Australian Test history, with the 29-year-old surpassing the 72-Test tally of Jeremy Paul.