Les Kiss has backed Kurtley Beale to compete for the Wallabies’ inside-centre role, raising the prospect of the 37-year-old making his Australia return after five years away from Test rugby.
Beale was a surprise inclusion in Australia’s squad for the spring tour and could feature in November, having last played for his country in the one-point defeat by Wales in Cardiff in 2021.
Kiss said Beale had been selected to contribute on the field rather than simply provide experience to a developing squad.
“No-one comes in just to fill a void,” the Wallabies coach said. “We just want to make sure it works and he’s in there to perform.”
Beale is expected to be used predominantly at number 12, although Kiss said he could also cover fly-half and full-back during training and as Australia develop their game.
“We always said we’d lean back into the experience when we wanted to, but he’s coming in to predominantly drive that second five-eighth position, at 12,” Kiss said.
The Wallabies will begin their tour against England at Twickenham next Sunday, but Kiss will wait until training in London before deciding whether Carter Gordon is fit to return from the fractured fibula he suffered against Argentina in September.
Gordon took part in sessions in Sydney this week, with Monday and Tuesday’s training expected to provide a clearer indication of his readiness. Ben Donaldson and Declan Meredith are also being encouraged to take ownership of the team’s attacking positions.
“I’m actually empowering them to say go for it and do it and have permission to just lead this team,” Kiss said.
Kiss was more confident about the availability of flanker Tom Hooper, whose shoulder was scanned after he was injured playing for Exeter against Bristol. The coach said the scans had “cleared everything” and that Hooper was recovering his full movement.
Winger Dylan Pietsch, who scored twice for Australia A against the United States last Sunday, was not included in the touring squad despite being considered for selection. Kiss said Australia had instead wanted additional cover for full-back Tom Wright, with James Ramm chosen among the options.
England, ranked fifth in the world, will provide the first test of the tour at Twickenham. Kiss said England’s game retained a strong set-piece and kicking emphasis but was developing a greater attacking edge.
