Veteran Wallaby Beale is out of the Wales Tests with a serious injury

SYDNEY (AFP) – Australian opener Kurtley Beale was ruled out of Monday’s Test series against Wales due to a ruptured Achilles tendon, which requires surgery. This is a huge blow for the returning quarterback.

The 35-year-old, who returned to the Wallabies squad for the first time in three years, limped off during the weekend’s low-level domestic match and tests confirmed he was seriously injured.

“Kurtley Beale will undergo surgery today on a ruptured Achilles tendon and we wish him the best of luck with his recovery,” the Wallabies wrote on Instagram.

No date has been given for Beale’s return, with some reports suggesting the injury could end the career of the 95-caper.

In a double blow ahead of the first of two Test matches against Wales in Sydney on July 6, centre David Feliuai was also unable to take part in the match due to “personal reasons”.

Beale only returned to professional rugby halfway through the Super Rugby season with Western Force after a break of more than a year following sexual assault allegations.

In February, Beale was cleared of the charges, which he has always denied, and said last week he was happy to play for Australia again.

Wallabies team-mate Andrew Kellaway called the injury a “huge shame”.

“I grew up watching him and eventually playing with someone I now consider a close friend. It’s sad to see that he’s back on the brink of what he was before,” Kellaway told reporters.

Flanker Fraser McReight added: “It’s very sad and everyone feels sorry for Kurtley.

“Nobody wants to hear about someone having an Achilles strain or suffering a similar serious injury, so everyone feels sorry for them.”

The Wallabies, who have fallen to ninth in the rankings, are looking to make amends in their opening games against Wales under new coach Joe Schmidt, who has replaced Eddie Jones.