Former Wallabies fullback Greg Martin says the Waratahs must drop Kurtly Beale

[travelling_gerry]

Former Wallabies fullback Greg Martin says the Waratahs must drop Kurtly Beale

By Chris Wilson
March 15, 2009 Former Wallabies fullback Greg Martin believes New South Wales Waratahs fly half Kurtley Beale is a "protected species", and must be dumped immediately.
Martin said the 20-year-old wasn't up to controlling the Waratahs' attack despite getting an "armchair ride" behind one of the best packs in Super 14.

The Queenslander said Beale had been overtaken by young Reds five-eighth Quade Cooper in terms of development, and he called for Beale to be replaced at No.10 for NSW by full-back Sam Norton-Knight.

Beale is not just struggling in general play, his goal kicking ranks among the worst in the Super 14.

Martin, who has watched every NSW match as a Fox Sports commentator, said Beale's weaknesses were holding the Waratahs back and it was glaring in Friday night's 21-11 loss to the Brumbies.

"NSW have got such forward dominance and they're being hamstrung by Kurtley Beale," Martin said.
"He has an armchair ride behind a wonderful forward pack and they're not capitalising.
"There are some great five-eighths playing behind beaten packs - Quade Cooper's playing behind a badly beaten pack and able to show real ability.

"Whereas Kurtley, no-one's had a personal attack on him yet, and I wonder whether he's a protected species."

Beale was benched for the final 15 minutes on Friday night. It was only then that NSW scored their only try of the match, when winger Lote Tuqiri chip-kicked across field for his opposite winger Lachie Turner.

"Kurtley Beale can't throw long enough passes to set up their wingers," Martin said.

"Their wingers are unreal -- Lachie Turner and Lote Tuqiri -- and they're not being given an opportunity. They say you've got to earn the right to go wide, they've earned it every single game.
"His job now is to control a football game and he's not capable of it - I'd take him out of there because five games into the season it's not working."

But Waratahs coach Chris Hickey said he was "more than happy" with Beale's progress.

"It wasn't anything Kurtley did or didn't do that cost us that game," Hickey said.

"You can't guarantee any selections, it's all about performances each week, but so long as he's doing the job we're looking for he'll stay in that position."




http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...002381,00.html

[chiselhead]

Great to see the eastern states press all over the Tahs like a cheap suit. The Qlders are sticking it up them as well after a rare win

[Thequeerone]

Often when watching the Fox Sports commentators wondered when Marto would speak - it must be difficult to be on the panel and support the Reds - interesting that these comments come on the back of a surprising Reds Win.