Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has backed Kurtley Beale to rebound from his goal-kicking disappointment to help Australia level their Test series against the British and Irish Lions in Melbourne.
Beale had the opportunity to win the opening Test but missed two late penalty kicks in their 23-21 loss in Brisbane, slipping as he booted his last-minute attempt.
That he was even in that position was stunning given he was suspended from playing and in an alcohol treatment centre just last month.
Deans was glowing in his praise for Beale, who came off the bench in the first half to replace injured fullback Berrick Barnes.
“It was quite simply an outstanding return to Test rugby,” Deans said.
“Kurtley is stronger now than he’s ever been and I think that showed.
“He’s a big part of this team and he’ll remain that for as long as he wants to be, I suspect.”
Injuries will force significant changes to the Wallabies line-up for Saturday night’s clash, with inside centres Pat McCabe (neck) and Adam Ashley-Cooper (shoulder), winger Digby Ioane (shoulder) and Barnes (head knock) in doubt.
All four players were sent for scans after the game with their prospects to be determined early in the week.
Deans again chose to ignore mercurial Queensland playmaker Quade Cooper when he called three players into his squad on Sunday, including veteran flanker George Smith, his uncapped Brumbies teammate Jesse Mogg and Reds centre Ben Tapuai.
As Smith is only returning to training this week from a serious knee injury, he’s not expected to be available for selection for this Test.
The omission of Cooper and the heavy injury toll in the backs means Deans is set to give James O’Connor another chance at five-eighth, despite some heavy outside criticism of his performance.
“James was a big part of working us back into the position to win that game and I don’t think you should take that lightly because it doesn’t happen easily against an experienced combination like the Lions,” Deans said.
“His first hit-out was pretty effective.”