Why Kurtley Beale, 36, won't give up on his Wallabies dream  - as father of two relishes family time while injured

Kurtley Beale has described his Achilles tendon injury as 'like a dagger to the heart', - but the father of two says it won't stop him from attempting to resurrect his Wallabies career. Just days after earning a dream recall following a three-year hiatus, Beale tore his Achilles tendon while playing Sydney club rugby in June last year. Beale, 36, could have easily thrown in the towel, but giving up isn't in his DNA.

He has already linked back up with the Western Force on an injury replacement contract, with hopes he will be fit enough to return at the tail end of the Super Rugby Pacific season. And if all goes to plan, the utility will be back in Wallabies gold in time to take on the British and Irish Lions later this year. For Beale, the Achilles injury came as a complete shock. Kurtley Beale has described his Achilles tendon injury as 'like a dagger to the heart', - but the father of two says it won't stop him attempting to resurrect his Wallabies career (pictured, with his son, also named Kurtley).

The silver lining for Beale with his Achilles injury has been the opportunity to spend more time at home with his growing family (pictured, at Tamarama beach in Sydney). Daily Mail Australia understands his wife Maddi Beale gave birth to the couple's second child midway through last year. Beale, 35, is targeting a Wallabies recall - and wants to take on the British and Irish Lions later this year (pictured, the family of four together).

'It was a weird sensation,' he said. 'It felt like a pop down the back of my ankle, and I kind of looked around, I thought someone kicked me, and no one was around me, and I kind of just fell helplessly to the ground. 'It was quite devastating at the time. 'I worked my way back from adversity the previous 12 months, and to get back and then have an injury like that, it was the dagger in the heart, so to speak.'.

Instead of dwelling on his misfortune, the 95-cap Wallaby - who was found not guilty of sexual assault last February following an alleged incident at a Bondi pub in 2022 -tried to view the injury as a blessing in disguise. 'I was absolutely devastated, heartbroken,' Beale said. 'But I guess everything happens for a reason. I really, truly believe in that now. 'And it was probably to be there for my two kids, who I love dearly, and to be there with my wife. 'It's been an absolute blessing.'.

When Beale suffered the injury, he told Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt he would be back. The utility back feels 'absolutely blessed' about his extra family time in recent moths - but still has goals in international rugby he wishes to tick off before retiring. When Beale suffered the Achilles injury last year, many fans thought retirement would soon follow. The one-time schoolboy prodigy has gone onto play 95 Tests for the Wallabies (pictured, on the Gold Coast in 2024).

Almost eight months down the track, Beale's determination remains as strong as ever. 'I don't think you can ever cut yourself short in this game,' he said. 'Injuries come and go. I'll be doing everything I can to be ready. 'I still feel like I can be a valuable member in a team, with my experience and game knowledge and rugby IQ.'. Beale is a big fan of visualising. He's been visualising wearing the Western Force jersey for the British and Irish Lions warm-up match at Perth's Optus Stadium on June 28.

And he's also visualised what it would be like wearing the Wallabies gold again in front of a packed stadium. 'I did say briefly before that Spring Tour (that I'm determined to return), but we all know it's a long journey,' Beale said. 'And we do know that it's quite a significant injury, and especially in my position, speed and agility are paramount. 'I need to make sure that I have that spring and that speed to be able to be as effective as I used to be, as I know I can be.