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

Australian spinner Kurtley Beale was ruled out of Monday’s Test series against Wales with a ruptured Achilles tendon requiring surgery, a massive blow to the returning opener.

The 35-year-old, who returned to the Wallabies squad for the first time in three years, came off the pitch during a low-level domestic match at the weekend and tests confirmed he had a serious injury.

“Kurtley Beale will undergo surgery today on a ruptured Achilles tendon and we wish him all the best in 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-cap player.

In a double blow ahead of the first of two Tests against Wales in Sydney on July 6, center David Feliuai was also ruled out for “personal reasons”.

Beale only returned to professional rugby halfway through the Super Rugby season with the Western Force after being sidelined for more than a year amid sexual assault allegations.

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

Wallabies teammate Andrew Kellaway called the injury a “massive embarrassment”.

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

Flanker Fraser McReight added: “It’s incredibly sad and everyone’s sympathy goes out to Kurtley.

“Nobody wants to hear about someone having an Achilles strain or getting seriously injured, so everyone feels sorry for them.”

The Wallabies, who have dropped to ninth in the rankings, are looking to make up ground in their first games against Wales under new coach Joe Schmidt, who has replaced Eddie Jones.

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