Kurtley Beale has reunited with his Wallabies teammates for the first time since the text message scandal that threatened to end his rugby career.
The controversial Waratahs utility linked up with the Australian squad in Dublin on Sunday afternoon after earning a call-up from Michael Cheika for the final two games of the spring tour.
Beale and young backrower Jake Schatz were welcomed by teammates and coaching staff in a meeting at the team hotel after the Wallabies touched down following a 29-26 loss to France in Paris on Saturday night.
The fresh faces will have little time to acclimatise to their new European surroundings, with both expected to train with the team on Monday as they push for selection in Saturday’s clash with Ireland at Lansdowne Road.
Beale was shielded from touring Australian media upon his arrival into camp, with Australian Rugby Union officials refusing to make him available for more interviews.
The 25-year-old spoke to reporters prior to departing Sydney on Saturday, saying he wanted to redeem himself to those critical of his inclusion in the squad.
“I feel like I have to show the Australian public what I can do out there,” Beale told reporters.
“If I can show that through some good performances then hopefully I can repay that faith.”
Beale has not played for Australia since the loss to South Africa on September 27 and was initially left out of the spring tour despite avoiding having his ARU contract torn up.
The Waratahs playmaker was fined $45,000 by an independent tribunal for sending a lewd text picture message to team business manager Di Patston but escaped suspension after being found not guilty of sending a second, more offensive text.
Beale was also fined a further $3000 over an in-flight argument with Patston en route to Argentina with the scandal ultimately leading to the resignation of Patston and former coach Ewen McKenzie.
Should he prove his fitness over the the coming days, Beale could earn a spot on the bench against the Irish, with Australia looking to bounce back from their first defeat under Cheika.
Both the coach and his players insist Beale’s return will not unsettle the squad, with vice-captain James Slipper backing his teammate to learn from past mistakes.
“He’s had a rough couple of months and he’s done what he’s had to do so I’m sure he’s learned from his off-field distractions,” Slipper said.
“He’s a bubbly type of bloke to have around the squad and three weeks into a tour someone like Kurtley can inject a lot of enthusiasm and skill.”
After scoring an upset win over South Africa last week, Ireland posted a 49-7 win over minnows Georgia on Sunday.
“Fair dues to them they really got at us,” said Irish fullback Felix Jones, who scored two tries.
“However, this win still gives us some momentum ahead of Australia.”
