Australia international Kurtley Beale to quit Waratahs
Kurtley Beale had three separate stints with Waratahs
©PA
Australia international Kurtley Beale has confirmed that he will be leaving Super Rugby club Waratahs at the end of the 2020 season.
Beale made his professional rugby debut with Waratahs at the age of 18 in 2007 and since then had three separate stints with the New South Wales club scoring 478 points which keeps him at fourth place in the all-time highest scoring point-scorer for the club.
Beale will be leaving for the Top 14in France, joining up with Racing 92, along with his fellow Wallaby Luke Jones.
New South Wales Rugby Union General Manager of Rugby Tim Rapp lavished praise on Beale and his contribution to the club.
“Kurtley has been synonymous with rugby in New South Wales for the best part of a decade, and he’s been a valued part of our organisation – we’re certainly sad to see him go,” Rapp said to the official website of the club.
“But this is a great opportunity for him to enjoy time playing overseas and everyone at the Waratahs wishes him all the best with the next chapter in his career.”
Beale's stints at Waratahs were separated by his association with Melbourne Rebels and Wasps. Having represented Australia Under 20 in the past he made his Test debut for the Wallabies in 2009 and has gone on to play 92 games including 2011, 2015 and 2019 World Cup campaigns.
“It was great to see Kurtley get the opportunity to equal Benn Robinson’s appearance record in Canberra and pending a new domestic competition starting, we’re hopeful that we’ll see him turn out for the Waratahs before he heads to France,” Rapp added.
“He’s been a part of hugely successful Waratahs sides, earnt personal accolades at provincial and international level and become a senior figure in our squad over the last few years.
“His appointment as vice-captain this year and the role he’s played in mentoring our young backs has been fantastic to see.
“On behalf of everyone at the Waratahs, I’d like to thank Kurtley for his contribution to our organisation and the game in New South Wales.”
