Wallaby Kurtley Beale has won over his Melbourne teammates and coach Damien Hill to be named on the bench for the Rebels’ Super Rugby clash on Friday night with the Chiefs.

Beale returned from exile on Monday following his disciplinary suspension but was no certainty to play against the defending champions at AAMI Park.

Hill said on Wednesday he had been impressed with Beale’s progress.

“Mentally he’s in a very good place,” said Hill.

“It’s probably the best I’ve had to do with him in terms of where he is mentally, he’s in a very good place.

“Physically, he’s in very good nick.”

Hill said Beale spoke with his teammates, both as a group and individually, and everyone was ready to put trust in him.

“As long as that trust is returned the club will continue to support him.”

The 24-year-old missed the Rebels’ past six games after breaking his hand and then being sent home in disgrace from South Africa for a drunken altercation with teammates, which resulted in the playing ban.

The Wallabies star had been under the guidance of the Australian Rugby Union and is undergoing counselling for alcohol-related issues.