Worst news confirmed for Kurtley Beale’s Wallabies comeback after rape ordeal: ‘It’s super sad’

The career of resurrected Wallaby Kurtley Beale could be over with confirmation the veteran requires surgery after rupturing his Achilles playing club rugby.

Days out from the start of a new era for the Wallabies and new coach Joe Schmidt, who recalled 35-year-old Beale to his 38-player squad, teammates were reeling from the shock news.

Beale, who only last week said he was being driven by a quest to go from 95 Wallaby caps to 100, and join an exclusive club, is now looking at a significant rehab period.

He was released to play for Randwick in the Shute Shield having been an outsider to make an instant international return in Saturday’s test against Wales.

But after coming off the bench, Beale went down untouched in the back-field and had to be helped from the field with scans on Monday conforming thee worst.

‘It’s super sad and everyone’s feeling for Kurtley,’ Wallabies flanker Fraser McReight said on Monday.

‘It’s not one anyone really wants to hear – someone doing their Achilles or a major injury like that. I’m sure everyone’s sent him a message and really feeling for him.’

Beale had returned to rugby this Super season with the Western Force after a 12-month stand-down by following serious legal charges, of which he was cleared

Andrew Kellaway, who is set to play a key role in the Wallabies backline alongside Tom Wright, who is favourite to play fullback against Wales, said Beale’s teammates had been excited to have him back.

Beale had returned to the fold having been stood down from rugby for 12 months after being hit with legal charges, of which he was cleared.

‘It could be anyone, but it’s horrible to see,’ Kellaway said.

‘Even worse, KB is someone I grew up watching and then eventually playing with, he’s someone who I consider to be a close mate.

‘It sucks to see him right on the brink and then right back where he wants to be and we were all excited to have him back.’

Amid some shock at Beale’s inclusion on the back of only a handful of Super Rugby games for the Western Force this year, new coach Schmidt said few people could play the game like the veteran who has starred in several roles for the Wallabies over his long career.

‘Game sense, it’s hard to coach that,’ Schmidt said.

‘He just sees the game. Sometimes I think as players get older, they see it, but maybe struggle to land it. But he’s been landing it pretty well.’

David Feliuai has also left Wallabies camp for ‘personal reasons’ ahead of Saturday’s clash with Joey Walton has been added as his replacement.

Schmidt is yet to confirm his 23-man line-up.