Why the loss of Kurtley Beale would ba a massive loss for the Wallabies

[The Rugby Shadow]

from www.therugbyshadow.com

News reports this morning that Wallaby fullback Kurtley Beale has only a "20%" chance of playing in Sundays do or die semi final against the All Blacks,would come as a massive blow for the Wallabies chances.
The loss of Wallaby Fullback Kurtley Beale would be a massive blow for them


Beale is far and away the Wallabies most lethal attacking weapon and for him to be absent on Sunday night would please every All Black fan in New Zealand and around the world.

Along with David Pocock,Beale has been one of Australias players of the tournament so far.

From the outside looking in he offers a constant running,attacking threat with his ability to make something from nothing.
The fact that Australia beat South Africa last weekend while earning just 35% of possession and territory was as much in part to Beales open field dynamism ,epitomised by his searing break which lead to the Wallabies only try in the opening ten minutes, as it was to the freakish poaching and breakdown abilities of Pocock.

But as a defending player playing against him,what really sets Beale apart is that you must double team him….you simply cannot rely on your team mate to make the one on one tackle.Instead,the thought pattern changes…keep focused on Beale..he can run..he can step…and in an instant he has sucked two or three defenders in to him and unleashed an unmarked player.

The kicking game must also be absolutely spot on.Against other teams or counter attackers,a stray kick may not go unpunished.

Against Kurtley Beale,we can bet the house that he'll gain some leverage off it.

The Wallabies have various options should Beale be ruled out.James O'Connor could slot in at the back or so to could Adam Ashley-Cooper,and there have been reports that Quade Cooper would wear #15 with Berrick Barnes at 1st 5/8.

Either way,the dynamics of that Wallaby backline changes immensely,and a Wallaby backline without Beale is nowhere near as lethal as one with him in it.

And the All Blacks breathe a sigh of relief and lick their lips in anticipation...

 

[Dizzy]

This is going to be one of the biggest turning points come game time. Because Beale IS such a threat. It's almost as close as Carter's omission.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I hope that AAC goes to 15 - I think it's his best position. He's not as good as Beale there, but I think he's a much better 15 than winger, and a marginally better 15 than 13

I really wouldn't want to see Quade there - while having Barnes at 10 would steady things a bit, I don't think Cooper at 15 is the right idea, whether or not he spends a lot of time there in normal games anyway

 

[donmcdazzle]

As much as people like to bag Cooper, he seems to do a good job of directing his team round on attack, even if his own touches haven't been as good as they can be. Beale is a big threat with his pace, he tends to punish aimless kicking. AAC is pretty safe defensively and under the high ball so they won;t lose too much with him back there.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Just put Radike in their.

 

[Sam Owen]

Its a big right hook to the head losing Beale. He can make things happen, hes got that speed to finish that half break, hes got a good boot and he completes a very good full strength Wallabies backline. Without him its gonna be tough, especially for the replacement who has to come in against the ABs and quickly find their feet, very tough.

Lets hope his injury is minor and lessons before the big game. The Wallies are gonna need him. Does anyone know what injury he has?...

 

[Dizzy]

True, I dont even know what injury he has. It's a big blow for the Aussies

 

[Larksea]

Lets hope his injury is minor and lessons before the big game. The Wallies are gonna need him. Does anyone know what injury he has?...

pretty sure it's the partial hammy tear that has been with him for the last couple weeks. It was aggravated in the last game.

 

[Dizzy]

That's right it was too. The good ole hammy has been getting alot of key players this year hasn't it.

 

[Sam Owen]

pretty sure it's the partial hammy tear that has been with him for the last couple weeks. It was aggravated in the last game.

It must be a grade 1 tear bordering on grade 2. Nah not good for Beale at all, even if he does play it'll be interesting to see how long he'd last and whether or not he'd actually sprint at maximum pace.

 

[yage]

It wouldn't matter if he was playing or not, Australia still have zero chance to beat the ABs at Eden Park tomorrow regardless.

Better he doesn't risk serious injury to threaten his Rebel debut next year

 

[NgatiDread]

yep they definetly missed him....AAC just had no spark or penetration from the back...I spose AAC is more a defensive FB and Beale an attacker