Friday looms as decision day for Kurtley Beale as the Wallabies mull over playing their star fullback in Sunday’s Rugby World Cup semifinal against New Zealand.

Beale hasn’t trained this week due to a hamstring injury and remains touch and go for the clash at Eden Park, with the team set to be named tomorrow.

Australia’s coaching coordinator David Nucifora said that Beale’s hamstring is improving but the selectors are still unsure on his availability for the match.

But in a sign that Beale is close to recovering sufficiently, Nucifora is confident he would be fit for the World Cup final a week later if the Wallabies beat the All Blacks.

Prop Sekope Kepu also hasn’t trained this week due to an ankle injury but he has been given good reports by medical staff and is expected to be named in the front row.

Nucifora added that powerful inside centre Pat McCabe’s shoulder injury “looks good”, in an indication that he will retain his position at No.12 and oppose in-form All Black Ma’a Nonu.


Story by: Dreu Vukailagi