Wallabies utility Kurtley Beale has returned to the Western Force as part of his rehabilitation from injury with a view to a playing return later in the 2025 Super Rugby season.
Beale made a major impact at the Force last year, joining the Club in early April as injury cover for Harry Potter, impressing in seven games that led to his Wallabies recall in June.
The 95-cap Wallaby totalled 378 metres gained with 66 carries, four offloads and three line breaks in his seven games, but he also added experience and leadership on and off the field, with his voice proving invaluable to the backline.
However, Beale suffered an Achilles injury later in June playing for Randwick in the NSW Shute Shield thwarting his international aspirations for 2024.
The Force have now offered Beale a chance to rehabilitate the injury with a view to an injury cover contract in 2025 once fit and available.
He has taken up the opportunity, re-locating to Perth with his family – wife Madi and their two children - over the Christmas break and joining in pre-season this week, albeit on an individual program.
Beale said: “I’m really grateful for the opportunity the Force have offered myself and my family to continue on in my rugby career.
“We loved our time at the Force last year and I feel I’ll be able to achieve my goals being back in a high-performance environment and highly motivated organisation.
“I’m motivated to be back playing rugby for the Force and helping them push towards a finals series. On a personal level, I want to return in the best possible shape to have the biggest impact on the team.
“Being in Perth is the perfect environment for me right now, allowing me to focus on my work within a strong high-performance program with great staff who’ll push me to get the best results to return as quickly as possible.
“There’s still work to do and we’ll take it on a week-to-week basis but I’m confident with the support of the medical team, coaches and players I’ll be able to see positive results.”
Force general manager of rugby Chris Goodman said: “We’re delighted to offer Kurtley this opportunity, given the impact he made internally on the group last season, both on and off the field, as well as his contribution to Australian rugby and his IP.
“We know there’s work for him to do to regain full fitness over the next few months, but he is highly motivated. We want to give him the best environment to rehabilitate to get back to his best to help both the Force and his own Wallabies ambitions.
“We also know he’ll add significant value as a leader and mentor with his experience, so we’re thrilled to see him back at Force HQ and offer him this opportunity within Australia.”
