Bayley Kuenzle says the Force are excited to have veteran Kurtley Beale back from injury, which is good news for the Wallabies ahead of the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia.
Beale, sidelined since June 2024 after rupturing his Achilles tendon in club rugby, could feature as early as next week when the fifth-placed Force face Super Rugby Pacific title-holders, Blues in Auckland.
The 95-Test playmaker, who earned a Wallabies recall just days before his injury, has been traveling with the Force squad in New Zealand in the buildup to Friday’s clash with the table-topping Chiefs.
The Lions’ trip Down Under features three Tests against the Wallabies, in Brisbane (19 July), Melbourne (26 July) and Sydney (2 August).
“[He gives us] a massive buzz,” Kuenzle, who recently returned from his own long-term injury, said of Beale. “He brings a lot of energy around the group. And what he can do on the field would be amazing for us.”
The pair formed a strong bond during their rehabilitation process, with Kuenzle suffering PCL and MCL damage plus a leg fracture in July.
“Having KB in a similar situation was pretty good for my rehab,” the flyhalf added. “We talked about our injuries together and how we get through it and our challenges and what we can work on.
“When he comes back it will be awesome.”
Photo: Janelle St Pierre/Getty Images
The post Aussies buzzing for Beale’s return appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
