Beale brings a touch of the craftsman among the muscle of the Premiership and he will be missed in England, but the game in Australia will welcome him back
Some marquee players fail to make a mark, others live up to their marque; a few add to their reputations, like Kurtley Beale this season. When Wasps signed the Australian back last summer, with the option of a second year, they were taking on a player whose temperament was threatening to flat-line his career at the point he should have been nearing his peak.
His debut was delayed until December because of an injury he sustained in Australia and he has only played 16 matches for Wasps – 11 in the Premiership and five in the European Champions Cup – but he has packed into half a season what others take years to do. His impact can be measured in his performance against Saracens at the Ricoh Arena last weekend when he returned to full-back after three matches at inside-centre.
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