Wallabies star Kurtley Beale has got the same X-factor as Israel Folau and will pose a similar threat in Saturday night’s Bledisloe Cup clash in Perth, according to All Blacks veteran Ben Smith.
Folau’s messy exit from the Wallabies left Australia with a massive hole to fill at fullback.
Tom Banks was solid in the 35-17 loss to the Springboks in South Africa last month, but it was Beale’s performance in the No.15 jersey a week later that really caught the eye of the All Blacks.
Beale is expected to retain the role at fullback for Saturday’s clash at Optus Stadium, and Smith said his team were aware of the danger the 30-year-old presents.
“He (Folau) is a world-class player … but Kurtley Beale has got that same X-factor, and he’s a quality player too,” Smith said.
“Kurtley Beale is pretty dangerous. He has a good sidestep.”
The Wallabies haven’t held the Bledisloe Cup since 2002, but Smith doesn’t think the All Blacks hold a psychological edge over Australia.
“The past doesn’t matter,” he said.
“Whoever turns up on Saturday and plays the best footy will give themselves the best chance to get the Bledisloe.”
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen experimented heavily with his squad in the 20-16 win over Argentina and 16-16 draw with South Africa.
But he’s promised to unleash a full-strength side in Perth as the team ramps up preparations for the upcoming World Cup.
Hansen is expected to persist with fly-half Beauden Barrett at fullback, with Richie Mo’unga set to retain the No. 10 jersey to give the All Blacks a dual playmaking option.
It’s a move Wallabies fullback Dane Haylett-Petty says skills coach Mick Byrne predicted a couple of years ago.
“Interestingly enough, two years ago Mick Byrne was saying he thought Barrett would play 15 at the world cup, which I found surprising,” he told reporters in Perth.
“The combination with Mo’unga, just the two ball players playing both sides of the ruck, both are very good ball players and both are very dangerous.”
Haylett-Petty has been used largely on the right wing by the Wallabies, save for a few Tests he played at fullback when Folau was moved to the edge during Australia’s difficult 2018 season.
Despite playing the majority of his Super Rugby at fullback, Haylett-Petty looks to have been earmarked for a spot on the wing exclusively this season with Beale and Banks the preferred option at fullback.
“I get asked that a lot and I genuinely enjoy playing both positions for different reasons,” Haylett-Petty said. “On the wing I really enjoy contesting high balls and chasing kicks and get a little bit more space at times.
“And it’s hard to stay out of the game at fullback, it’s more of a kicking game and ball playing. I enjoy both. But I definitely prefer starting. I find it easier to build into the game when you’ve got 80 minutes to play.”