Kurtley Beale Has Made An Official Decision On His Future With Wasps
Latest posts by Will Matthews (see all)
- Munster & Leinster name teams for record-breaking Croke Park Showdown - October 11, 2024
- Springboks star Handre Pollard set to leave Leicester Tigers - October 10, 2024
- Ireland name team for final Emerging Tour game with the Cheetahs - October 8, 2024
Australian utility back Kurtley Beale will leave Wasps at the end of the season.
Following recent conversations with Australia Head Coach Michael Cheika, the 28-year-old Wallaby feels he could play a central part for Australia as they build-up to the 2019 Rugby World Cup and the best way to fulfil the role outlined to him is to be back in the country.
Wasps have stated they fully supportive of Kurtley achieving his international ambitions and will wish him the very best when he returns to Australia at the end of the season.
Speaking about the confirmation of his plans, Beale said:
“This has been a really hard decision because of how much I’ve been enjoying my time at Wasps. The squad, coaches, medical team and fans have been brilliant towards me since I arrived and I will always appreciate how they supported me through the injury rehab and gave me time to get my confidence back on the field.
“I believe I have grown as a player and person during my experience here. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to play with these great lads and I’m loving being part of this group and am excited to see what we can achieve this season. With the squad Wasps have, I’m sure they will also be successful over the coming seasons.
“I signed a one-year deal from the outset to enable me to keep my options open. I came very close to agreeing a new contract with Wasps, but I believe to achieve my international rugby aspirations I need to be back home in Australia.
“To be able to wear the Wallaby jersey again would be the greatest privilege and at this stage of my career I want to give myself the best opportunity of representing Australia in the 2019 Rugby World Cup. The vision Cheik [Michael Cheika] has for the Wallabies is really exciting and is something I really want to be part of and contribute to.
“Wasps have been going really well this season and I will be putting everything I have into helping the squad stay top of the table and trying to fulfil our potential this year. Hopefully Wasps’ fans will appreciate my reasons for returning home and how important representing my country is to me. This experience at Wasps is something I will never forget.”