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Kiss backs 'hungry' Beale to push for Wallabies game time / Photo: William WEST - AFP
Kiss backs 'hungry' Beale to push for Wallabies game time
Wallabies head coach Les Kiss backed Kurtley Beale on Friday to push for a place in the Australian team during the Nations Championship after the veteran star's shock recall.
The versatile 37-year-old was called up this week in place of Hunter Paisami, who is out for personal reasons, for Tests against England, Scotland and Wales in November.
Beale has played 95 Tests but his last was in 2021.
Kiss said the Western Force back was not brought in simply to support younger players, but was a genuine chance for game time as Australia look to build their squad for the World Cup on home soil next year.
"No one comes in just to fill a void," Kiss said ahead of their departure for England.
"It's important that this is not just feeling it and hoping. We just want to make sure it works. And he's in there to perform.
"We've given the younger guys a chance to grow, but we always said we'd lean back into the experience when we wanted to.
"He's coming in to predominantly drive that second five-eighth (inside centre) position -– that 12 -– and he can flex into 15 (fullback) and 10 (fly-half).
"We just need him in that space, and he'll bring his experience... I know he's hungry to do what he can."
Australia head to the Nations Championship on the back of two crushing defeats by the All Blacks, where their young side was exposed.
Along with Beale, fellow veteran playmakers James O'Connor and Bernard Foley have also signalled they want to be part of the World Cup.
Both have signed on for the 2027 Super Rugby season to keep themselves in the frame.
Kiss said that while the upcoming Tests were crucial to test different combinations, how players perform in Super Rugby would ultimately determine the make-up of his World Cup squad.
"This won't be a definitive 'yes' or 'no' you're in the World Cup picture," he said of the tour.
"Super Rugby will be the more informative thing about how we get there."
Australia kick off against England at Twickenham on November 8.
"There are real challenges that we know are ahead of us, but that's what we need," said Kiss.
"This is the last window before we close out into what will become a massive year for every country."
S.Cloutier--SMC
