http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/league-feelers-out-for-beale/2007/06/03/1180809341385.html
League feelers out for Beale
Rupert Guinness and Brad Walter | June 4, 2007
Teenage rugby union sensation Kurtley Beale has become a prime target for rugby league poachers despite having another year left on his Waratahs deal.
The NRL interest has forced startled NSW coach Ewen McKenzie to consider bringing forward contract negotiations with the 18-year-old star of tomorrow.
One of Beale's personal managers, Rob Horton, yesterday downplayed reports that Souths had already attempted to lure the exciting multi-skilled back, who played league as a Penrith junior before starting union at St Joseph's College.
But the Herald yesterday learned that Glen Ella, Beale's other manager at Horton Ella Marketing, has spoken to the Rabbitohs and the Sharks. The meetings, within the past six weeks, were confirmed by both clubs yesterday.
"We have had discussions with Kurtley's manager about him coming to rugby league when his contract finishes at the end of next year," Souths chief executive Shane Richardson said.
"I know Kurtley from my time at Penrith, where he came through the ranks. I think he plays rugby union like a rugby league player, so we've certainly got some interest in him."
Sharks coach Ricky Stuart agreed with Richardson's assessment of Beale as a player better suited to league than union. "I have had discussions with Glen Ella, and I've watched Kurtley Beale very closely over the last three seasons," Stuart said.
"I've told Glen I would be very interested in taking the talks further when Kurtley feels he is ready to come to rugby league. I say that because I see Kurtley as a rugby league player in rugby union."
McKenzie was surprised to hear that Souths and Cronulla had spoken with Ella, who has mentored Beale before and since he signed with NSW until the end of next year.
"I was aware of the rumours and approached Glen and his management group, and they all reassured me there was nothing to it," McKenzie said yesterday. "Our intention is to keep him and we will do all we can to make sure we do."
McKenzie conceded that might mean NSW advancing negotiations with Beale.
"He has 18 months left on his contract. That is not far away in terms of contracting cycles," said McKenzie, adding that any talks would involve the Australian Rugby Union as Beale would likely command a Wallabies top-up.
"Generally speaking, we don't get on to contractual matters before 12 months in advance. But obviously things are happening. We can't let that happen."
McKenzie will likely need to look beyond Souths and Cronulla as potential predators once other NRL clubs hear Beale may be on the market and considering a switch to league.
"Whenever Glen Ella talks to anyone from rugby league about their players, all they want to talk about is Kurtley Beale," a source told the Herald yesterday.
For Beale, who is in the Australia A program and a World Cup selection chance, that means an added load of pressure will fall on his shoulders.
As judgement on his game intensifies in his second year as a professional rugby player, so, too, will it on his value-for-dollar and speculation over his future.
His situation could descend into the circus that surrounded the negotiations of his more-experienced older NSW teammate Lote Tuqiri. After being courted in the public eye by all and sundry, Tuqiri finally signed a $6 million five-year contract with the ARU and NSW, but the stress clearly affected his mind and game.
Beale will not be chasing the same amount, but a publicised tug of war between the codes for his services at such a young age could have a devastating impact.
McKenzie made it clear where he felt the responsibility of care lay. He said: "It is as much about how far the player and his manager want to run it."
For now the attention on Beale is just that. It is understood when Ella met Souths recruitment manager Mark Hughes and Stuart there was no discussion of offers.
Talk was of Beale's potential in league where he is seen as an ideal halfback.
A factor heightening the prospect of Beale returning to league, where he played for Mount Druitt in the Penrith juniors, is his limited game time in union recently.
With Australia A, he has come on off the bench in their past two Pacific Nations Cup matches, against Tonga and Samoa. And in the last five rounds of the Super 14, he played a total of 29 minutes for the Waratahs but was absent for two games due to illness.
League feelers out for Beale
Rupert Guinness and Brad Walter | June 4, 2007
Teenage rugby union sensation Kurtley Beale has become a prime target for rugby league poachers despite having another year left on his Waratahs deal.
The NRL interest has forced startled NSW coach Ewen McKenzie to consider bringing forward contract negotiations with the 18-year-old star of tomorrow.
One of Beale's personal managers, Rob Horton, yesterday downplayed reports that Souths had already attempted to lure the exciting multi-skilled back, who played league as a Penrith junior before starting union at St Joseph's College.
But the Herald yesterday learned that Glen Ella, Beale's other manager at Horton Ella Marketing, has spoken to the Rabbitohs and the Sharks. The meetings, within the past six weeks, were confirmed by both clubs yesterday.
"We have had discussions with Kurtley's manager about him coming to rugby league when his contract finishes at the end of next year," Souths chief executive Shane Richardson said.
"I know Kurtley from my time at Penrith, where he came through the ranks. I think he plays rugby union like a rugby league player, so we've certainly got some interest in him."
Sharks coach Ricky Stuart agreed with Richardson's assessment of Beale as a player better suited to league than union. "I have had discussions with Glen Ella, and I've watched Kurtley Beale very closely over the last three seasons," Stuart said.
"I've told Glen I would be very interested in taking the talks further when Kurtley feels he is ready to come to rugby league. I say that because I see Kurtley as a rugby league player in rugby union."
McKenzie was surprised to hear that Souths and Cronulla had spoken with Ella, who has mentored Beale before and since he signed with NSW until the end of next year.
"I was aware of the rumours and approached Glen and his management group, and they all reassured me there was nothing to it," McKenzie said yesterday. "Our intention is to keep him and we will do all we can to make sure we do."
McKenzie conceded that might mean NSW advancing negotiations with Beale.
"He has 18 months left on his contract. That is not far away in terms of contracting cycles," said McKenzie, adding that any talks would involve the Australian Rugby Union as Beale would likely command a Wallabies top-up.
"Generally speaking, we don't get on to contractual matters before 12 months in advance. But obviously things are happening. We can't let that happen."
McKenzie will likely need to look beyond Souths and Cronulla as potential predators once other NRL clubs hear Beale may be on the market and considering a switch to league.
"Whenever Glen Ella talks to anyone from rugby league about their players, all they want to talk about is Kurtley Beale," a source told the Herald yesterday.
For Beale, who is in the Australia A program and a World Cup selection chance, that means an added load of pressure will fall on his shoulders.
As judgement on his game intensifies in his second year as a professional rugby player, so, too, will it on his value-for-dollar and speculation over his future.
His situation could descend into the circus that surrounded the negotiations of his more-experienced older NSW teammate Lote Tuqiri. After being courted in the public eye by all and sundry, Tuqiri finally signed a $6 million five-year contract with the ARU and NSW, but the stress clearly affected his mind and game.
Beale will not be chasing the same amount, but a publicised tug of war between the codes for his services at such a young age could have a devastating impact.
McKenzie made it clear where he felt the responsibility of care lay. He said: "It is as much about how far the player and his manager want to run it."
For now the attention on Beale is just that. It is understood when Ella met Souths recruitment manager Mark Hughes and Stuart there was no discussion of offers.
Talk was of Beale's potential in league where he is seen as an ideal halfback.
A factor heightening the prospect of Beale returning to league, where he played for Mount Druitt in the Penrith juniors, is his limited game time in union recently.
With Australia A, he has come on off the bench in their past two Pacific Nations Cup matches, against Tonga and Samoa. And in the last five rounds of the Super 14, he played a total of 29 minutes for the Waratahs but was absent for two games due to illness.
