As Kurtley Beale prepares to take on the Lions 12 years after playing a key role in the last epic series on Australian shores, the Wallabies veteran has highlighted Finn Russell as the touring party’s biggest threat.
“Yeah, well, I think the number 10, Finn Russell,” said Beale of the Scot, who has been on the periphery of the past two Lions campaigns in South Africa and New Zealand.
“I played with him at [French glamour club] Racing, and he’s such a mercurial, unpredictable player.
“I think with a forward pack like he will have in front of him, he can create a lot of damage. He’s obviously got some exciting backs outside him as well who will thrive off his delivery, his service. So I think he’d be the dangerman.”
Russell, 32, is no stranger to the Wallabies.
Last year, Joe Schmidt’s men arrived in Edinburgh with their tails up after snapping a near-decade-long drought at Twickenham and a record win in Cardiff, but had their grand slam hopes blown up in Scotland as Russell delivered a masterclass.
The fly-half scored a well taken try, but he also helped open up the Wallabies on the counter.
Finn Russell dives over to score against the Wallabies at Murrayfield on November 24, 2024 in Edinburgh. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Now, the Scottish maverick can help cement himself as one of Britain’s modern greats if he can lead the Lions to a series win on Australian shores, with the playmaker favoured to start ahead of Fin Smith and Marcus Smith in the No.10 jersey.
Who plays No.10 for the Wallabies isn’t quite as clear, with both Tom Lynagh and Ben Donaldson nipping at the heels of Noah Lolesio.
But whoever gets Schmidt’s tick of approval will be up against it as they go toe-to-toe with championship winning playmakers in the red. Earlier this month Russell led Bath to the English Premiership, a feat both Smiths have achieved in recent years.
Nonetheless, Beale, who still has ambitions of featuring in a gold jersey over the next six weeks, believes the Wallabies have a chance against the Lions and says the developing midfield partnership of Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii holds the key to their success.
“Joe Schmidt’s got a great coaching staff behind him, and I think the Wallabies are building nicely,” he said.
“The Northern Hemisphere tour last year was a really good indication of that, really testing those teams up there and building a lot of cohesion and connection, and I think that’s going to be important going into the Lions series.
“The centre-pairing, I’d probably look at Lenny Ikitau and Suaalii there. I think they’re our dangermen.
“Set piece is going to be the determining factor in the end. Whichever side gets that quality ball, because there’s going to be some exciting backs thriving off that.”
Kurtley Beale believes the Wallabies’ midfield of Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii hold the key against the Lions next month.v(Photo by Andrew Matthews/PA Images via Getty Images)
Before then, Beale is one of dozens of Australians eager to land an early blow on the Lions, starting on Saturday evening in Perth as the Force play Andy Farrell’s men in the first of nine fixtures Down Under.
“The more rugby you play, the better,” said Beale, having been asked about the prospect of some Wallabies missing provincial matches against the Lions.
“I think it’s up to the individual on how he sees that.
“But to get to represent your club against the Lions, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. And rugby, you’re able to create special memories with teammates, and those are the memories that you look back on when you’re retired and watching the series down the track. So yeah, whenever you get the opportunity, you should take it.”
Beale knows better than most the landscape of Australian rugby and, in particular, the players Schmidt will call upon to take on the Lions.
When the bulk of the previous generation of Wallabies moved on following the 2019 World Cup, Beale initially stayed in Australia to continue playing in Super Rugby.
It wasn’t long before Beale left for Paris, but the utility Wallabies back returned a couple of years later and has seen first-hand the development of the current generation of players, who first emerged under Dave Rennie and, most recently, Schmidt.
“I think a lot of the young guys that were kind of introduced over the last five years have now matured,” Beale said.
“They’re kind of week in, week out rugby players. They’ve got that experience. And they’re not afraid to throw the ball around to test their skills and just really embrace the occasion.
“That’s a big focus for us this week, going into a challenging game against the best in the world. Obviously the Lions, a disappointing loss against Argentina, but they’ll be coming back firing and really wanting to start the series off on a positive note. We understand that. But the focus for us is to make sure that we can put in a performance that we can hang our heads on proudly.”
Kurtley Beale says he’s eager to help the Force fire an early shot against the Lions. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Beale, who was included in a Force hub of players of national interest earlier this month, told Schmidt he would be ready if needed during the Test series later next month. It came after the 95-Test Wallaby was told by Schmidt he initially wasn’t in his plans.
“Yeah, I just said I’ll just try and be ready whenever he needs,” Beale said.
“I think you look at the back three at the moment, Tommy Wright’s been in great form, you’ve got young guys like Corey Toole coming up, stepping up, and Kellaway’s a veteran now, so guys have been there, combinations have been there, and I think they deserve their spot.
“They’re building nicely, as I said. So hopefully they’ll be able to put in a good performance against Fiji in a couple of weeks’ time. It’ll be another great Test for all in the squad. And whatever the outcome, I’m sure Joe will get the boys in the right mind frame to be ready for game one.”
