Waratahs fullback Kurtley Beale says he is determined to leave a legacy in NSW in what shapes as his final season in Super Rugby.
Beale will cement himself in Waratahs history this weekend, equalling Benn Robinson on 148 Super Rugby caps for the Waratahs, the most in the club.
He will almost definitely finish his career as the Waratahs’ most-capped, with more than 13 years at the top level.
While in many ways, it seemed as though Beale would inevitably find himself in the Waratahs record books, he has done it the long way.
Coming into the Waratahs as a schoolboy prodigy, Beale spent two seasons with the Rebels and also had a stint overseas with UK club Wasps, before coming back to Sydney.
He is the only player from the Waratahs’ 2008 grand final team that is still playing professional rugby, let alone Super Rugby, a testament to both his longevity in the game and his natural talent.
That decider was a tough night at the office for Beale, who eventually got a Super Rugby title six years later, but still ranks among the moments he remembers most.
“Obviously your first cap is pretty special, your first trip to Africa is quite special; that was almost my first trip overseas as a young kid from western Sydney and to be on a rugby tour was quite eye-opening,” he said.
“But then you’ve got games like the ’08 [Super Rugby] grand final, I happened to start at No. 10 and we lost, and I got syndesmosis, I got injured in that game, but it was certainly a great experience.
“That was a special year to be a part of, to be playing in front of your home fans at the SFS, packed house, created so many great memories there.”
Back then, Beale was still an enigmatic young flyhalf finding his way and on the field little has changed in the way that he plays.
He has worn numbers across the backline but wherever he has lined up, he has always carried a little extra spotlight.
Supporters and teammates have long looked to Beale to deliver something unexpected in games when it matters most, and there have been plenty of times when he has delivered on that.
That expectation has at times caught up with him in his career and he admitted even now, he was still working to find his most effective role.
“I’ve obviously put a lot of expectations on myself to be playing at a level that I’m happy (with),” he said.
“At the moment, I’m kind of finding it a little bit tough to try and pop in and pop out at certain plays and get my hands on the ball at the right time.
“Obviously there’s some new structures set in place and new ways to play the game, and I don’t think I’m far off though just to be able to build combinations with certain players around me.
“Obviously we’ve got some great young players who have so much enthusiasm and energy on the ball and it’s a matter of how I can combine and pick my moments to go with them and hold back.
“Trying not to over play but also not to under play and that’s where I’m really challenging myself at the moment. but I feel like I’m not far away from having a bigger impact there and that’s another part of my driver to really make sure that I’m making the most of opportunities whilst I have them.”
This shapes as Beale’s final year at the Waratahs, widely tipped to be heading to France after this season.
While he said he “wasn’t sure” if it would be his last season in NSW when asked this week, Beale spoke like a player who was preparing to move on, keen to embed his “legacy”.
"Yeah, obviously as a player you want to be part of a legacy, of what your team can leave behind for the next generation," he said.
"But I think as a player, you also want to leave your own legacy and what you can offer a team and leave a little bit of something for the next generation of player in my position to rub off on and influence and give them a bit of inspiration to continue wearing the sky blue jersey and Wallaby jersey, because that was the impact I [felt] when I was coming through the ranks and those players had that effect on me."
While a decision to move overseas won’t surprise many, his call to stay on for a year after the World Cup while so many high-profile Test stars moved on was driven by that desire.
“Yeah I just think as you mature as a player you realise how much playing for your country really means to you,” he said.
“Being home, playing for your state, being born in Sydney, all those [things] start to hit home a bit more and you want to try and achieve as much as you can in those jerseys for as long as you can, and I think that’s my main driver at the moment.
“And I think you learn to appreciate how amazing it is to represent the Waratahs and the Wallabies.
“[So] that’s been [one] of my big drivers is to try and achieve so much here in the game in Australia, for my state and for my country, as much as I can.
“At the same time, making sure that you’re leaving something behind for the next generation to aspire to and have that positive impact going forward.”
It’s fitting that his record-equalling match will come against the man who many think could push Beale out of the starting Wallabies side this year, Tom banks.
Banks and Rebels skipper Dane Haylett-Petty have been the form Australian fullbacks this season and Beale said it would be “personal” on Sunday afternoon.
“I think every derby game you want to be up there in the face of your opposite number. You want to put your best foot forward for the team first and foremost, but secondly, it does become personal no doubt,” he said.
“I know Banksy has already spoke about the opportunity and he’s up for the clash and no doubt from 1-15 boys will be into it.
“I think that’s what these derby games are great for and bringing the best out of each individual and hopefully the team, so hopefully we can use this game as a bit of a catalyst to really re-boost our season and make sure that we’re consistently performing and make sure that we’re proud of those performances.”
The Waratahs take on the Brumbies on Sunday March 16 at GIO Stadium, kicking off at 4:05pm AEDT, LIVE on Foxtel, Kayo Sports and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO. Buy tickets here.
