Beale pushes for extra time

Sun, Oct 1, 2017, 3:11 AM
Sam Phillips
by Sam Phillips
Kurtley Beale would back a move to play extra time in Test rugby. Photo: Getty Images
Kurtley Beale would back a move to play extra time in Test rugby. Photo: Getty Images

Kurtley Beale would back any shift to include extra time as part of Test rugby after the Wallabies played out another stalemate in Bloemfontein overnight.

The 27-all draw, three weeks after the 23-all draw in Perth, left Beale, along with many others, dissatisfied.

"I think you've definitely got to look into it," Beale said.

"Five minute break - or maybe a 10 minute break up on the Highveld just to get the oxygen in the lungs a bit."

There is little doubt almost all players would get behind the concept but whether World Rugby sit up and take notice of that is another matter entirely.

Matches like this one were probably deserving of a draw but the feeling of overwhelming discontent is certainly undesirable.Kurtley Beale would back extra time being brought into Test rugby. Photo: Getty Images"It's just a dull feeling, isn't it," Beale said.

"There's no proper result, I feel like it's just a bit of a dead rubber kind of thing. It's a lot of mixed emotions.

"Both teams thought they should have won and for the fans, really, it probably would be better for them to get a certain result."

On field, Beale was again at his brilliant best in attack, reeling off 82 metres from 11 runs that featured three tackle busts, two linebreaks and five offloads.

Both Beale and Bernard Foley are airborne with ball in hand and the inside centre said the attack was humming at a better level than ever before.

"I've only just been back but there's certainly a very good picture for us," Beale said of the side's attack.

"Our structures are there for us to play expansive rugby - in forwards and in backs.Beale caused headaches for the Springbok defence all night. Photo: Getty Images"I feel like we're progressing, slowly for sure.

"And I think just the experience in big games like this will definitely help our young boys and collectively as a group to get better in those pressure moments so when we do get faced with them later on down the track, we'll hopefully get that outcome that we want."

His defence, it must be said, was not up to the standard he has produced since returning from Wasps, missing three of six tackles, including a critical one on Siya Kolisi which led to a South African try.

Beale's defensive work may have been subpar but Marika Koroibete's was anything but.

"He's pretty deadly," Beale said.

"I've always watched him playing league for the Storm and now to get the opportunity to play with him, you can see why he's such a dominant player - so strong with the ball in hand and defensively very, very strong.

"Still learning the game, the big fella, and a lot of the boys are getting around him and helping him find his feet in the game.

"I certainly think there's a long way and a lot for him to give the game, that's for sure."

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