Kurtley Beale's improbable Wallabies comeback has been cruelled by what is feared to be a serious Achilles injury while playing for Randwick on Saturday.
The 35-year-old had been released by the national team to stay match fit in the Shute Shield against Eastern Suburbs at Woollahra Oval.
Randwick ran out 50-37 winners but celebrations were tempered by the sight of a pained Beale having to be helped off the field by two people, unable to put any weight on his right leg.
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The Wallabies – who are yet to provide details on Beale's injury – open their 2024 campaign against Wales in Sydney on Saturday.
Brumbies star Tom Wright is likely to start at fullback at Allianz Stadium.
It was widely assumed that Beale's 95 Test career was over when he was stood down by Rugby Australia and the Waratahs following rape charges last year.
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But Beale was found not guilty in February and returned to Super Rugby with the Force in April.
Beale hasn't played for the Wallabies since 2021.
"Kurtley's played well. Feedback from the Force has been really positive about his influence," Joe Schmidt said after picking him in a 38 man squad.
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"It also takes a bit of pressure off one person being the hub to see everything that needs to be seen. Game sense, it's hard to coach that.
"He just sees the game. Sometimes I think as players get older, they see it, but maybe struggle to land it. But he's been landing it pretty well."
Meanwhile, Australia opened their under-20 world championship campaign with a stirring 35-11 comeback victory over Georgia in Cape Town on Sunday (AEST).
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