Kurtley Beale: Waratahs confirm deal with Wallaby is ‘really close’

The experienced Australian international has been heavily linked with the New South Wales franchise in recent days after reportedly preferring not to extend his contract at Racing 92.

Beale was brought back into the Wallabies fold by head coach Dave Rennie during the Autumn Nations Series and is looking to put himself in the frame for the 2023 World Cup.

“The deal is really close but (there’s) no chance he’ll be here for 2022 for Super Rugby,” Coleman told reporters.

“If he makes a decision to come home, top-up or no top-up, he’d be taking a pretty significant pay cut and that to me speaks volumes that he wants to be at the 2023 World Cup and I’d like to think he wants to be here to help us rebuild our team as well.

“He’s matured. He has gone away, experienced things overseas, had a taste of the Wallabies and that’s driven him to the interest he’s shown.”

Should the deal be completed, Beale will follow another experienced Test player through the door with the Waratahs bringing in Wales and Lions star Jamie Roberts.

“How good getting a legend like Jamie Roberts to the club, the stars aligned a bit on that one,” Coleman added.

“We’re comfortable with the numbers in our squad in all positions (but after several injuries) centre is a spot in the cupboard that was really bare.”