Wallabies utility back Kurtley Beale has been granted an early exit from his Waratahs contract ahead of next month’s Super Rugby AU competition.
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According to reports circulating in Australian media on Sunday, Beale has been released from his Waratahs and Rugby Australia contract early, ahead of an impending move to French club Racing 92.
The 31-year-old has signed a two-year deal with Racing, beginning next season and initially it was expected he would play out the Australian season, representing the Waratahs in the newly formed Aussie Super Rugby competition.
The Waratahs are yet to officially confirm Beale’s departure, but according a report on Rugby Australia’s official website, it is believed to be an amicable departure despite his reasons for an early exit not entirely being clear.
Beale has admitted that his form through the year was below his best and that he was not part of a Players of National Interest list compiled by the new Wallabies coaching group after the Vodacom Super Rugby shutdown.
‘I’ve obviously put a lot of expectations on myself to be playing at a level that I’m happy with,’ he said.
‘At the moment, I’m kind of finding it a little bit tough to try and pop in and pop out at certain plays and get my hands on the ball at the right time.
‘Obviously there’s some new structures set in place and new ways to play the game, and I don’t think I’m far off, though, just to be able to build combinations with certain players around me.’
Beale became the most-capped Waratahs player in franchise’s history in March with 129 appearances.
He will still be eligible to play for the Wallabies despite this move, having racked up 92 Tests since his 2007 debut.
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Photo: Matt King/Getty Images
