Kurtley Beale acknowledges the crowd following the NSW Waratahs 2014 Super Rugby title triumph – Photo: www.karenwatsonphotograpy.com.au

Waratahs Rugby Media Release –
NSW Waratah and Qantas Wallaby Kurtley Beale is the latest player to commit to Australian Rugby beyond the 2015 Rugby World Cup, signing a one year extension to his contract with the Australian Rugby Union.

For the 26 year old, it is a chance to add to his already impressive rugby credentials since he signed his first contract with the NSW Waratahs at age 16 years. The Waratahs inside-centre and prolific point scorer has notched up 475 Super Rugby points since he first debuted for the side in 2007, ultimately going on to achieve 86 of his 100 Super Rugby caps with the Sky Blues.

Known for his versatility in the back line as well as a fast-paced, attacking style of rugby, Beale returned to the NSW Waratahs in 2014 following a short two year stint with the Melbourne Rebels in 2012/13. He flourished under the guidance of NSW Waratahs coach Michael Cheika and went on to play a key role in the Waratahs successful campaign to win the 2014 Asteron Life Super Rugby title.

Beale has earned 49 Test caps for Australia since his test debut in 2009, including a Rugby World Cup (2011), a Tri-Nation title (2011), and a British and Irish Lions Series (2013). He represented Australia in 10 of the 14 test matches in the 2014 International season.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to pull on the sky blue jersey and play for the Waratahs for another year,” said Beale.

“I love the Waratahs style of fast-paced, attacking rugby. It’s a new year and I’m excited for the season to start and to get the chance to get out there and play some great rugby again. There is nothing better to me than playing alongside my mates and in front of my family.”

NSW Waratahs coach Michael Cheika welcomed the news that the NSW Waratahs playmaker will remain in Australia until after the Rugby World Cup.

“Kurtley made a fantastic contribution to the 2014 campaign and I am sure he will be better again in 2015,” said Cheika

“I am looking forward to getting the best out of him again over the next 12 months.”

A prodigious talent with a keen read of play, Beale burst onto the Rugby stage as a 16 year old, impressing many with his skills and creative flair on field. Demonstrating a rare gift to move effortlessly between fullback, fly-half and inside centre, Beale was an Australian Schoolboys representative from 2004 to 2006, ultimately captaining the team in 2006. At 17, he was invited by then Wallaby coach John Connolly to attend his first Wallaby training camp before finally making his Super Rugby debut in 2007, aged 18 years, as fly-half for the NSW Waratahs. His Wallaby test debut against Wales followed in 2009.

Seen predominantly as a fly-half early in his career, Beale shifted to fullback for the Wallabies test against Fiji in 2010, a position that he was to make his own with some outstanding performances at test level. That same year he was recognised with a nomination for the 2010 IRB Player of the Year before he became only the third back to win the coveted John Eales medal the following year in 2011.

Upon joining the Melbourne Rebels in 2012, Beale showed his versatility once again by moving back to fly-half and further demonstrated why many regarded him as a pivotal playmaker in the sport. In 2014, now back with the NSW Waratahs, Beale moved to inside-centre where he remained for the entire season as member of one of the most dynamic back-line combinations in 2014 Super Rugby series. Despite his Super Rugby success in the centres, the 2014 international season was to see Beale step back into the Wallabies No. 10 jersey for the first two Bledisloe Cup tests against New Zealand.

Beale is a passionate advocate for Indigenous Rugby in Australia and devotes time away from the game supporting Indigenous education and development programs.

KURTLEY BEALE
Position: Fullback/Inside Centre/Flyhalf
Height: 184cm
Weight: 90kgs
DOB: 06/01/1989
Place of Birth: Sydney, Australia
Senior Club: Randwick
Super Rugby Caps: 100 (Waratahs 86, Melbourne Rebels 14)
Super Rugby Points: 475 (Waratahs 20T, 60C, 60P, 3D; Rebels 4T, 14C, 6P)
Super Rugby Debut: 2007 v Lions (Waratahs)
Test Rugby Caps: 49
Test Rugby Points: 113 (11T, 2C, 18P)
Test Rugby Debut: 2009 v Wales at Millennium Stadium
2011 John Eales Medallist