SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 16: Kurtley Beale of the Wallabies is tackled during The Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the New Zealand All Blacks at ANZ Stadium on August 16, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images
KURTLEY Beale has probably done enough to retain his No.10 jersey for the Wallabies in next weekend's showdown in Auckland, with coach Ewen McKenzie praising his contribution in the draw against the All Blacks.
While Beale made mistakes, he also provided all 12 of Australia's points through four penalties, and McKenzie pinpointed concerns in areas other than Beale's play after the result.
"There was a fair bit of discussion around [Beale's selection], I thought he was trying to make things happen which is what we wanted," McKenzie said.
"His goal-kicking was 80 per cent.
"It wasn't ideal conditions, it was a a difficult game, could have reverted to playing a field position game, that's not what we want to be about.
"We're trying to back ourselves with our skills.
"It wasn't so much handling errors in carrying the ball, it was more about how we fielded the ball. Kicks were a problem for us, a few technical set-piece errors. We'll keep at it."
Asked if he would start Beale again next Saturday at Eden Park, McKenzie replied: "I don't rush in here with a team sheet, there's a lot of guys battered and bruised in the dressing room so we'll have to take stock.
Israel Folau had a tough night in the slippery conditions. Source: Getty Images
"I saw a few of their guys limping off too, we might both be fielding different teams. We'll sort that out next week.
"I thought there was a lot of good intent out there.
"There were errors too, but everyone was guilty of that.
"But I thought he did some good stuff."
There was much to like, but much to dismay, after Beale produced a game of highs and lows at ANZ Stadium.
It was a solid but hardly convincing audition for the crucial No.10 jersey, not just for next week but next year in the World Cup.
Beale's opposite Aaron Cruden also made errors, which reflected the difficult conditions, but unfortunately Australia needs far more reliability from its chief playmaker when so many other areas of the field are won by All Black players.
There were plenty of big hits in a physical Bledisloe Cup opener at ANZ Stadium, with some friendly fire thrown into the mix.
Beale kicked four penalty goals to provide all of Australia's points in the 12-12 draw, but the Wallabies' attack appeared predictable and confused throughout.
Beale was smashed by Jerome Kaino in first-half a tackle, but managed to compose himself seconds later to kick Australia's points in the 12th minute from a penalty given due to Kaino's enthusiasm at the ensuing breakdown.
The penalty goal, from 40 metres, was a boost of confidence, but Beale's second attempt after the half-time buzzer from half the distance was a blow to his claims.
Beale had controversially won the five-eighth jersey over Bernard Foley, who had not only impressed in his three starts against France, but kicked the winning goal in the Super Rugby final a fortnight ago.
Beale's failed kick, which hit the post before the Wallabies spread it wide and Wycliff Palu was bundled into touch, followed seven minutes of sustained pressure in the All Blacks' quarter and the sin-binning of their prop Wyatt Crockett.
That they were unable to yield any points from this period was a dire reflection of their attack and New Zealand's defence.
From the start of the second half, the Wallabies relentlessly pressed forward with ball in hand for four minutes before winning another penalty, and this time Beale made no mistake.
He then got stepped by Kiwi hooker Dane Coles in hot pursuit of a downfield kick-chase, and spilled a high pass from Israel Folau with the line open from 25 metres out, but by the 56th minute Beale had kicked his third penalty goal to bring his side level 9-all.
The mixed bag continued when moments later he threw an intercept pass to Julian Savea, and the All Blacks piled on the pressure before they were awarded a penalty, allowing Cruden to push his side ahead again by three points.
Beale put the Wallabies level yet again when All Black replacement playmaker Beauden Barrett was sin-binned in the 69th minute.
It proved his final act in the game, replaced by Foley, who received a rapturous applause.
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