Beale earns first Wallabies recall in two years as Kiss finalises Nations Championship squad

Kurtley Beale has been recalled to the Wallabies squad for the Nations Championship Northern Series after a two-year absence, with head coach Les Kiss confirming the 95-cap utility back as a late addition following Hunter Paisami’s withdrawal from the tour for personal reasons. Former Northampton Saints winger James Ramm and scrum-half Kalani Thomas were also named in the expanded group ahead of Australia’s departure for the United Kingdom on Saturday.

Beale’s last Test appearance in a gold jersey came in 2021, making his potential involvement in the November internationals against England, Scotland and Wales a significant milestone. The Western Force back had already made headlines earlier on Wednesday when his club announced he had re-signed on a season-long train-and-trial deal. Beale has been in strong form this year, starring in the Super Rugby AUS Grand Final as the Force defeated the NSW Waratahs in Perth.

“With Hunter’s unavailability we’re excited by what Kurtley can bring to the group,” Kiss said. “He’s got 95 caps worth of Test experience and whilst he will primarily cover inside centre he has the versatility to play a number of positions across the backline.”

Ramm is uncapped at Test level and brings recent form from New Zealand’s NPC competition, where he helped Northland reach the Grand Final — ultimately won by Canterbury in Christchurch. The winger has since signed with the Western Force for the upcoming Super Rugby Pacific season after a stint in PREM Rugby in the United States.

“James is a player we’ve kept a keen eye on for a while and his form for Northland has been exceptional in recent times,” Kiss added. “He’s someone who knows the UK well having spent a very successful period with Northampton and can cover multiple positions across the backline.”

Thomas joins the squad after Australia A complete their tour of the United States, slotting in alongside Ryan Lonergan and Tate McDermott as a fourth scrum-half option. Kiss had initially named uncapped Teddy Wilson in that position group before opting to bolster the contingent with Thomas’s experience.

The Wallabies face England, Scotland and Wales during the November window, with the Nations Championship Finals weekend also on the schedule.