Troubled Kurtley Beale back for Australia’s final Welsh Test

Published on 20/06/2012 01:57

Full-back Kurtley Beale has been rushed into the Australia starting line-up for Saturday’s third and final Test against Wales at Allianz Stadium.

Beale, charged with common assault last week following an alleged altercation at a Brisbane hotel a fortnight ago, has been out with a shoulder injury suffered playing for the Rebels last month.

The reigning John Eales Medallist has not played for the Wallabies since suffering a hamstring strain in the Bronze Medal play-off against Wales at the World Cup last October. His return means Adam Ashley-Cooper shifts to the right wing, while the only other change to the starting line-up sees Sitaleki Timani start at lock in place of Rob Simmons who drops to the bench.

Cooper Vuna has been axed to accommodate Beale’s return, while the decision to opt for five forwards on the bench sees last-week’s hero Mike Harris also drop out of the 22. Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said: “It has been frustrating for Kurtley, and he’s obviously had some off-field challenges to deal with as well, but it was important for all concerned that he had full confidence in his shoulder before we looked at re-introducing him to the Test arena,” .

While the James Bevan Trophy is already safely in the Wallabies’ keeping, Deans is expecting another tough challenge from the Six Nations champions in Sydney. “Wales are a very good side. They give you nothing and they take their scoring chances. They showed that in the Six Nations, and they showed it again last weekend,” he said.

Australia: Kurtley Beale; Adam Ashley-Cooper, Rob Horne, Pat McCabe, Digby Ioane; Berrick Barnes, Will Genia; Benn Robinson, Tatafu Polota Nau, Sekope Kepu, Sitaleki Timani, Nathan Sharpe, Scott Higginbotham, David Pocock (captain), Wycliff Palu. Subs: Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander, Rob Simmons, Dave Dennis, Michael Hooper, Nic White, Anthony Fainga’a.