Updated May 20, 2012 19:34:05
Kurtley Beale kicked the game-winning penalty from the sideline as Melbourne Rebels beat Western Force 32-31 in their Super Rugby clash in Perth on Sunday.
Beale's latest controlled performance at number 10 continued to give Australia coach Robbie Deans a selection headache.
Beale, who has principally played at full-back for the Wallabies, slotted into the pivotal role at fly half after Danny Cipriani was released from his contract last month.
The Rebels backline responded, operating with more direction and purpose since the 23-year-old Beale took the number 10 jersey with his deft passing, linebreaking ability and tactical kicking keeping them going forward.
With Queensland's Quade Cooper only returning on Saturday from a serious knee injury and Rebels utility James O'Connor recovering from a lacerated liver, Beale's form is putting pressure on Deans to pick him in the position for their Tests against Scotland and Wales next month.
On Sunday, Beale again proved to be the fulcrum of the Rebels' attack as they scored four tries in the first half, two to lock Cadeyrn Neville, and continued their momentum from their 28-19 upset win over the Canterbury Crusaders last week.
The win has lifted the Rebels one competition point above the Waratahs into third place in the Australian Super Rugby conference.
The Force, who had lost their previous five games, also played their part in providing a spectacle of high-tempo running rugby in extremely warm conditions, with first half tries to Fijian winger Napolioni Nalaga and number eight Ben McCalman.
The visitors went in at half-time with a 26-15 lead that was reduced shortly after the break when Force replacement winger Alfie Maafi jinked his way through some porous defence.
Force scrum half Brett Sheehan then slotted a penalty from about halfway to bring the score to 26-25, though Beale extended the gap again with his first penalty as the standard of the match degenerated through poor handling and decision making.
Force fly half Ben Seymour then added two further penalties to give the Force a 31-29 lead with six minutes remaining before Beale struck his second penalty with three minutes left to seal the win.
"It was a really good performance in that first half," Rebels captain Gareth Delve said in a pitchside interview.
"We looked really good in attack but in the second half we really disappointed. They came back at us and it was pretty tense in the end."
Melbourne Rebels: 32 (C Neville 2, G Delve, C Vuna tries; K Beale 3/4 conversions, 2/2 penalty goals)
Western Force: 31 (N Nalaga, B McCalman, A Mafi tries; B Seymour 1/1 conversions, 2/2 penalty goals, D Harvey 1/2 conversions, 1/2 penalty goals, B Sheehan 1/1 penalty goals)
Reuters
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australia First posted May 20, 2012 18:28:22
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