Beale wants Cooper back
Kurtley Beale may have taken Quade Cooper's flyhalf spot, but he is still hopeful of seeing the controversial plamaker back in the Wallabies squad.
Beale started the Rugby Championship at fullback, but a lack of fitness and confidence saw him turn in some disappointing performances before his fortunes took a turn when Cooper was sidelined with a knee injury.
With Cooper out of action for the rest of the year, coach Robbie Deans gave Beale an opportunity to start at flyhalf, which he grabbed with both hands.
Beale admitted that after a few underwhelming performances at fullback he is growing in confidence with every outing at pivot.
"I'm feeling pretty confident. I'm enjoying myself at the 10 position at the moment and it's exciting playing with the guys around me, they're making my job a lot easier.
"I feel a lot better. I feel a lot fitter and stronger than I did earlier in the year," he told AAP.
However, he believes that Cooper still has a lot to offer Wallabies rugby and remains hopeful that the Reds flyhalf will make a return to Deans' squad.
Cooper's future at Test level and even in Rugby Union is uncertain following his heavy criticism of the 'toxic environment' in the Wallabies squad and the boring style that they have been playing, but Beale feels that losing a player of Cooper's ability would be something of a tragedy.
"He's a class player so once he gets his body right (I hope he returns). He took the Reds to the (2011 Super Rugby title) and that year he was world-class.
"So if we can have him in the squad and with his knowledge as well – he's very smart, he knows how to play the game well – it will definitely help us moving forward," he explained.
Beale admitted that his side have a huge task on their hands if they want to stop the All Blacks in Brisbane this weekend.
The world champions have won their last 16 consecutive Test matches and Beale said that he cannot remember playing a stronger All Blacks side.
"If we are going to give these guys a good crack we've got to execute really well. That's what let us down in the first two encounters.
"Obviously they're in awesome form at the moment and they're looking unbeatable all the time.
"They're probably looking the best ever since I've been playing. They're playing some very exciting football and all their players are close to the best in their position in the world," he said.
