All Blacks great Mils Muliaina has backed Force fullback Kurtley Beale for a Wallabies recall and says he would be a "fantastic" mentor for Australia's younger players.
After being found not guilty on serious court charges, Beale has revived his career in Perth this year and starred in last weekend's 48-10 demolition of the Drua.
Muliaina, a Rugby World Cup winner who played the majority of his 100 Tests at fullback, said the 35-year-old still had plenty to offer Joe Schmidt in the international arena.
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Beale played the last of his 95 Tests against Wales in 2021.
"He's fantastic," Muliaina said on Stan Sport's The Call Up.
"What he's done is actually brought a little bit of that flair and understanding of 'hey, we've got to have a go here.' There's no use having a backline that is going to just kick the ball back and defend. But they've also got a balance in terms of their ability to be able to kick and be steady."
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Incumbent Wallabies five-eighth Ben Donaldson also gave Schmidt a timely reminder of his abilities and paid credit to Beale.
"What we have noticed is the real maturity about that backline and perhaps that's Donaldson as well, having Kurtley's influence there, but the morale of the group as well," Muliaina said.
"Higher honours? Absolutely. I know there's a lot of guys in competition but why wouldn't you have Kurtley in the Wallabies squad? Someone of his experience to bring these guys through and nurture them."
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Meanwhile, the Drua may have their last chance of sealing a playoff spot in Super Rugby Pacific when they meet the Reds in Suva on Saturday with three rounds remaining in the regular season.
The Drua have won all but one of their home matches so far this season, losing only to the then top ranked Hurricanes in round nine.
But they have not yet won away from home this year and after Saturday have an away game against the Highlanders and a home match against the Rebels.
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The Drua enter the weekend in eighth place on the standings, two points clear of the Force and six points behind the Highlanders.
The top eight teams qualify for the playoffs.
Last week's loss to the Force was perhaps the low point of the season for the Fijians, and coach Mick Byrne said the Drua can't afford any more "slip ups" if they are to make the quarter-finals.
He said after the setbacks early last season the Drua "forced our way" into the top eight very late.
"Now we're in the top eight and it's totally in our control," Byrne said.
The Reds are in fifth place after last weekend's 26-22 win over the sixth ranked Rebels.
They are seven points behind the fourth placed Chiefs and also face a must win on Saturday if they are to break into the top four.
The first four teams after the regular season take home advantage into the first round of playoffs.
"We're not watching the ladder intently and getting hijacked by it, but we know every win we put on the board puts pressure on other people," Reds coach Les Kiss said.
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"Get this win, it makes things possible."
Kiss has made numerous changes to his lineup for Saturday's match, having to replace bustling No.8 Harry Wilson because of a season ending broken arm and handing a starting debut to Floyd Aubrey on the wing.
"I'm a big believer in giving young players a go when they are good," Kiss said.
"Tim Ryan has been proving that but it's also about managing their exposure the right way at this level. He'll have the chance to attack this game from the bench."
Ryan has scored six tries in two matches since he was handed his debut against the Blues.
Byrne also has chosen a player on debut, naming 20-year-old Waqa Nalaga at centre.
The Blues will defend first place for the first time this season when they play the Highlanders in Auckland on Saturday.
They leapt into first place with last weekend's 31-27 win over the Hurricanes.
All Blacks flanker Dalton Papalii cautioned the Blues against complacency.
"I've been here before and we've choked in the finals," Papalii said.
"Everyone's going to be at us."
The Hurricanes travel to Auckland to face Moana Pasifika, the third placed Brumbies host the defending champion Crusaders in Canberra, and the fourth placed Chiefs will play the Rebels on Friday.
The late season rally expected from the Crusaders has not eventuated and they will start the 13th round in 11th place.
Crusaders coach Rob Penney issued a public apology to fans after last weekend's 32-29 loss to the Highlanders.
He assured fans the Crusaders players have not given up.
"The evidence just needs to be more obvious for the supporters," Penney said.
"And the public to see that the boys are really willing to do what they need to do to get the outcome or the performance that we would love to have.
"I'd just apologise to everyone."
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