Deans: Beale to be Wallaby pivot
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Wallaby coach Robbie Deans has identified Kurtley Beale as an integral part of the Australian team and indicated he wanted him at flyhalf for Australia's opening two Tests against Scotland and Wales next month.
Beale is expected to face a gruelling playing schedule with his Melbourne Rebels playing the ACT Brumbies on June 1, Australia facing Scotland in Newcastle on June 5 and the first of three Tests against Wales in Brisbane four days later.
Deans said Beale was vital to the Wallabies' hopes of beating Scotland and Wales and believed he was capable of playing three games in eight days.
"We're chasing four wins in three weeks, that's our priority. We will select in order to achieve that," Deans told reporters in Melbourne.
"Hopefully he's available for all four, because clearly he's an integral part of our group."
Beale has been in great form for the Rebels since his switch from fullback to flyhalf in the past month following the departure of Englishman Danny Cipriani and injury to teammate James O'Connor.
And with Quade Cooper playing only a half a match in his return from a knee reconstruction for the Reds last week, Beale is the apparent first choice for the Wallabies' No.10 jersey.
Deans said that while he intends to select different teams for the opening Tests against Scotland and Wales, he has abandoned the idea of only choosing Reds and Western Force players to face Scotland.
"Because the Reds and Force have the [Super Rugby] bye the weekend before we thought it may be in our best interests to only pick them, but when it got closer to the event the reality is it's a Test match and we want to win it," he said.
Deans said there were many players likely to be selected for both Tests, but hinted the two forward packs will be markedly different.
AFP
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