Beale gets backing for League
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Former teammate and Australian international Lote Tuqiri believes Kurtley Beale could easily make the switch to Rugby League as a match-winning back.
Belae is currently weighing up his options after being snubbed by the Wallabies in the mid-year series against France, the Waratahs play-maker had to make all of his appearances off the bench in June.
The exciting back, who can play multiple positions with ease, played League growing up and has never discounted switching to the 13-man code.
South Sydney New Zeland Rugby League wing Tuqiri played alongside Beale in the Waratahs backline for three of the seven seasons he spent in Rugby Union and he has no doubts the Wallabies star could handle the transition to League.
"Definitely. I've spoken to him about it before," Tuqiri told the Australian Associated Press.
"I think Kurtley has got a bloody heap of talent and he grew up playing Rugby League, so he can play both games with ease."
Key playing and coaching members of the Waratahs, who have finished top of this season's Super Rugby log, want Beale to stay and are hopeful he will remain in their fold.
"I love playing with KB [Beale]. I was here when he first started playing," said Waratahs and Wallabies No.8 Wycliff Palu, referring to Beale's first five-season stint with the Waratahs before two years at the Melbourne Rebels.
"The energy he brings, off the field as well. He's a good guy to have around the squad, always cracking jokes. Hopefully he stays."
Waratahs assistant coach Daryl Gibson said he thought Beale had been in fantastic form this year and would find it difficult to leave such a tight team.
"We've created a really great environment here and one he's certainly flourished in," Gibson said.
"I wouldn't expect him to leave that."
Tuqiri, who was part of the Waratahs squad that were losing Super finalists 2005 and 2008, thought his old side had a good chance to win their first title.
"They play a really good style of footy, scoring a lot of points," Tuqiri said.
"When I was playing, we didn't score as may points as they are now.
"I think they have got the squad to finally win it for New South Wales."
AAP
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