Kurtly Beale

[Henno]

There are all these rumors of Kurtly being approached by the rabbitohs and others. Does anyone here think he will change? As he is from Joeys I've seen him play (and beat, reluctantly) my school and i believe he has a sort of league style.

 

[knight-no-7]

KURTLEY BEALE has been offered $500,000 a season to switch codes as five NRL clubs jockey for his signature.

The Australian Rugby Union has sought urgent talks with Beale's management to stave off a defection to league in 2009 for a player former Wallabies coach John Connolly believes to be the best young talent in the country.

Beale, 18 and touted as a future Wallaby, has a league background. Before he was granted a scholarship with St Joseph's College at Hunters Hill, he starred in the Penrith juniors.

His efforts at five-eighth with last season's Waratahs and in winning the inaugural Australian Rugby Championship's most valuable player medal have him earmarked as a player who will play an important role in the rebuilding of the Wallabies after a disappointing World Cup.

However, NRL chief executives are aware his rugby contract expires at the end of 2008 and they've inundated his management with calls. Last year, Souths made it clear the teenager was at the top of their hit list. Gold Coast have also made public overtures.

"The clubs have made contact with us - and I stress they've contacted us - but all we are asking is that they put their offers in writing," Rob Horton of Horton-Ella Group, Beale's management company, said. "There's a lot of interest. Five clubs have made it clear they want him on their books. We [Horton's co-manager is Glen Ella] will obviously be advising Kurtley on what we think is best for him.

"As his management company we are obliged to show him all offers and we'll certainly continue to do that."

Connolly is sceptical about the $500,000 price tag, saying it is probably a case of an NRL club attempting to drum up publicity. However, he labels Beale "something special" and wants to see him continue in the 15-man code.

"No one has achieved what he has at his age," Connolly said. "His is a phenomenal achievement.

"He's got a very bright future. There are some very good players coming through and he is at the top of the tree.

"[Elton] Flatley come through in 1996 [at a similar age] but it's a much tougher environment now.

"He is something special."

The ARU and Waratahs are not going to allow league an easy ride. Beale is considered one of their trump cards.

"The ARU and the Waratahs have contacted us to make it clear they intend to sign Kurtley to a long-term deal," Horton said.

Another young rugby player said to have come to the attention of NRL clubs is Beale's Queensland rival Quade Cooper, who made his debut for the Reds last season.

WARATAHS five-eighth Kurtley Beale could end up on a platter for the taking by rugby league unless his future with the Australian Rugby Union is settled within the next two weeks.

The ARU, NSW Rugby and Beale's management are all confident he'll remain with the Waratahs when he comes off contract after this year, and that the 19-year-old's heart is in playing rugby union rather than league.

Yesterday, Beale indicated as much, and also added that he would like the issue to be settled as soon as possible so he won't be distracted during the season.

"That is what a lot of people would want," said Beale. "A lot of the boys have been in those circumstances and if it keeps going it can play on their minds a bit.

"I wouldn't mind it just to be over and done with so I can enjoy a real good season this year."

But the longer it goes before Beale re-signs, the greater the danger of a rugby league club coming from out of the shadows to poach him, especially as his management is still fielding approaches.

The Roosters, Rabbitohs, Sharks, Penrith and Gold Coast have all made approaches and, if they know Beale is still uncommitted after this year, will be ready to swoop if he starts his second season at the Waratahs at his dazzling best.

The NRL clubs are sure to keep a keen eye on him during the Waratahs' next two Super 14 trials, against the Brumbies in Gosford on Friday and Crusaders in Sydney on Thursday week.

The ARU sees Beale as a must-have player for the future, and is keen to start talks with his management soon.

Beale's agent, Rob Horton, yesterday said he expected the negotiations to conclude in about two weeks. But he had a warning.

"If the league clubs approached us we would have to listen," he said.

Despite the unlikelihood that Beale would leave union, the lack of a new contract worries NSW coach Ewen McKenzie.