Veteran Australian back Kurtley Beale admitted on Thursday ahead of his comeback this weekend that he came close to retiring after rupturing his Achilles tendon.
The 36-year-old, who has been capped 95 times, hobbled off during a low-level fixture in July last year, soon after being recalled to the Wallabies squad for the first time in three years.
He has been recuperating since and said he considered hanging up the boots for good.
"It was very tough, isolating," Beale said of his long recovery after being picked to start for Western Force against the Blues at Eden Park on Friday.
"A lot of thoughts were crossing my mind, whether to hang them up. There were some tough days where I considered retiring.
"But there was something burning inside of me, deep down, to continue to play. Not every player gets to finish on their terms."
Beale only returned to professional rugby midway through the 2024 Super Rugby season after being sidelined for more than a year fighting sexual assault charges.
He was cleared of the allegations, which he always denied.
FAMILY SUPPORT
Beale is determined to prove he still has what it takes, with an outside chance of forcing his way back into the Wallabies' squad for three tests against the British and Irish Lions in July and August.
"I've got to thank my wife and family. They've been the No 1 supporters," he said.
"They see the real Kurtley at home, when he's down, when he's facing a lot of doubt.
"They give me the energy to get back up and keep pushing to try to turn my dreams into reality."
Force coach Simon Cron said Beale had been in full training for a month and was ready to go.
"He is the epitome of driven," Cron said.
"He communicates a lot, he's got beautiful running lines, great catch-pass skill set.
"All of those things he's renowned for he still possesses. He's a great man to watch play."
95-test Wallaby Kurtley Beale has been named at fullback for the Western Force ahead of this Friday’s clash with the Blues, marking a remarkable return from an Achilles injury.
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) May 1, 2025
The 36-year-old has been sidelined since last June#Rugby pic.twitter.com/pOw5UpSkW2