Kurtley Beale, 37, back in Wallabies squad as Ramm and Thomas complete tour group

At 37, Kurtley Beale is back in Test contention. The 95-Test back has been called into the Wallabies squad for the Nations Championship tour, taking the place of midfielder Hunter Paisami, who is unavailable for personal reasons.

Beale has not played for Australia since a Test against Wales in Cardiff in 2021. He came close to a return in 2024, when he was named in a Wallabies squad, but an Achilles injury cut his season short. He brings plenty of experience with him, having played at three World Cups, in 2011, 2015 and 2019.

"With Hunter’s unavailability we’re excited by what Kurtley can bring to the group," Les Kiss said.

Beale will mainly cover inside centre, but he can also play in several other positions across the backline, which gives the touring group cover in more than one spot.

Ramm rewarded for NPC form

Beale is not the only addition. James Ramm, a 28-year-old who plays fullback and wing, joins the squad after helping Northland reach the NPC final in New Zealand. He was part of the Northampton Saints squads that won the Premiership last season and in 2023/24, and he will move to the Western Force before the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season.

"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.

Scrumhalf Kalani Thomas completes the changes. He will join the squad once his Australia A commitments are over. Rugby Australia also reported that Tate McDermott is expected to go home to Australia in November for the birth of his first child.

Back to Cardiff

These additions come after the squad for the UK tour was first named, and the group leaves for the UK on Saturday 31 October. The tour includes Tests against England, Scotland at Murrayfield and Wales in Cardiff, followed by the Nations Championship finals. That means the Wallabies return to the city where Beale played his last Test.

Australia go into the tour having beaten South Africa 42-38 at Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday 27 September.