Super Rugby Pacific: Western Force star Kurtley Beale opens up on retirement fears in wake of torn Achilles

Western Force star Kurtley Beale has admitted he considered retirement in the wake of a devastating ruptured Achilles last year that ended his Wallabies comeback before it began. But as he prepares to make a return 10 months in the making, the 95-Test veteran has credited the Force and his family for giving him the support to continue his career. Beale has been named to start at full back in the Force’s crucial clash with the Blues at Eden Park, his first game since tearing his Achilles playing club rugby in New South Wales in June. After impressing last year down the stretch for the Force last year, Beale was named in the Wallabies squad before he suffered the devastating injury — and the 36 year-old said he considered hanging up the boots. “A long journey, it was very tough, isolating. A lot of thoughts were crossing my mind, whether to hang them up,” he said. “There were some tough days where I considered retiring, but there was something burning inside me deep down to continue to play and finish on my terms, so to speak. “I understand not every great player or any player gets to finish on their terms.” Beale had signed for the Force on a short-term injury cover contract last season, but having been impressed by his mentoring and leadership, the club threw him a lifeline. They allowed Beale to continue his rehabilitation at the club with a view to him taking up an injury cover contract once ready. “I can’t thank the Force enough for giving me the opportunity to be able to do my rehab over in Perth, and put me in a high performing program with ‘Magic Mike’ (rehabilitation physio Mike Neill),” Beale said. “He was unbelievable, pushing me to my limits. It was very testing, challenging, but I’m very grateful for the support of my teammates and the guys around as well, those guys pushing you every day. It’s a bit of a roller coaster.” Beale also paid tribute to his wife Maddi and his family for keeping his spirits high when he was at his lowest. “They’ve been probably the number one supporters. They probably see the real Kurtley at home, when he’s down, when he’s facing a lot of doubt, and they just give me the energy to get back up and keep pushing to try and put my dreams into reality,” he said. “I can’t thank my wife Maddi enough for all her support and love in this journey.” Beale’s return will be something of a baptism of fire as the Force look to hold onto sixth spot on the ladder against a Blues side on the outside looking in on the finals race. The Force have never won at Eden Park in Auckland but Beale said the group were in strong spirits after their heavy defeat to the Chiefs last week. “The guys have learned a lot of lessons against the Chiefs. We had a great first half, but the second half, there was so many lessons there that I feel like we’ve rectified through through training, and there’s a really good energy around the group now, very focused “What an amazing opportunity to be able to face the Blues at their home ground, the holy grail of Eden Park, and try and get out there and get that dub.”