Beale named at 10 for Australia vs All Blacks
FILE - In this June 7, 2014 file photo, Australian replacement Kurtley Beale slides in for a try during their rugby test match against France in Brisbane, Australia. APKurtley Beale has replaced Bernard Foley at flyhalf in a reworked backline selected for Australia\’s Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup series opener against New Zealand.
Beale played outside Foley in the Super Rugby-winning New South Wales lineup but was preferred at pivot for Saturday\’s test in Sydney, his first in the starting lineup this season.
Veteran utility Adam Ashley-Cooper\’s strong form for the Waratahs helped him regain his spot at outside center for Australia after a long stretch of tests on the wing.
Experienced midfielders Rob Horne and Pat McCabe have been selected on the wings in a revamped back three anchored by incumbent fullback Israel Folau.
Australia coach Ewen McKenzie also made changes to the forward pack which sealed a three-test sweep against France in June, with Nathan Charles replacing injured hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau and lock Sam Carter returning from injury.
He said the changes that weren\’t enforced through injury reflected the style he wanted the Wallabies to play against the World Cup champion All Blacks.
"There were a number of extremely tough selection decisions, especially after the way the team performed against France, however we\’re confident we\’ve come up with the best squad possible to win on Saturday night," McKenzie said. "We\’ve just modified some roles slightly to suit how we want to play the game."
McKenzie said the toughest selection revolved around the pivotal No. 10 with Foley performing strongly against France, and also steering the Waratahs to victory in the Super Rugby final against the Crusaders. Beale has more test experience and is a more unconventional and versatile playmaker.
"Bernard hasn\’t put a foot wrong since we chose him in June, but Kurtley has really stepped up his game over the past few months and he\’s consistently been one of the Waratahs best players every week," McKenzie said. "He\’ll bring some additional x-factor to our game. Kurtley\’s also an experienced guy who has played 42 tests, so he will enjoy the added responsibility of wearing the No. 10 jersey."
McKenzie announced an expanded group of nine substitutes including six forwards, Waratahs halves Foley and Nick Phipps and Brumbies center Tevita Kuridrani, who made way for Ashley-Cooper in the centers. One player will be omitted closer to the test.
Source: AP
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