Kurtley Beale has been recalled to the Wallabies for the first time since 2024, with the 95-Test veteran named in the squad for the November Spring Tour after Hunter Paisami was ruled unavailable for personal reasons.
Rugby Australia confirmed the late changes on Wednesday afternoon, finalising the touring group with Beale, Northland fullback James Ramm and scrum-half Kalani Thomas added to the squad.
Beale, Wallaby number 836, was last named in a Wallabies squad in 2024 before an Achilles injury ended his season early. His most recent Test was against Wales in Cardiff in 2021.
Kiss explains Beale call
Wallabies coach Les Kiss said Beale would mainly cover inside centre.
“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.”
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“Kurtley’s also been in great form for the Western Force in Super Rugby Pacific and Super Rugby AUS and is excited to contribute to the environment,” Kiss said.
Ramm and Thomas join the tour
Ramm, 28, can play fullback or wing and will join the Western Force for the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season. He played a key role in Northland’s run to the NPC final in New Zealand and was part of the Northampton Saints squads that won the English Premiership title last season and in 2023-24.
“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 said. “He’s someone who knows the UK well having spent a very successful period with Northampton and can cover multiple positions across the backline.”
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Thomas will link up with the squad after his Australia A commitments. Rugby Australia said Tate McDermott is expected to return to Australia during November for the arrival of his first child.
Paisami was one of several players recalled when the original 33-man squad was named last week, after serving his suspension for a high tackle in the win over South Africa in Perth.
Wallabies November Tests
The squad leaves for the United Kingdom on Saturday. The Wallabies play England at Twickenham on Monday 9 November (2:10am AEDT), Scotland at Murrayfield on Monday 16 November (2:10am AEDT) and Wales in Cardiff on Sunday 22 November (7:10am AEDT), before the Nations Championship finals weekend starting 27 November.
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