Saturday 14 May 2016 11:39, UK
Wasps have signed Kurtley Beale for the 2016/17 season.
Beale will arrive at Wasps as their overseas marquee signing at the conclusion of the NSW Waratahs' Super Rugby season.
The 27-year-old has won 60 caps for Australia since making his debut against Wales in 2009 and has competed in two Rugby World Cups.
Beale has built a reputation as a world-class attacking force, possessing a mercurial ability to unlock defences and conjure something out of nothing.
He becomes the eighth signing Wasps have announced for next season, joining Guy Armitage, Danny Cipriani, Tom Cruse, Marcus Garratt, Marty Moore, Tommy Taylor and Tom Woolstencroft.
Beale said: "I can't wait to move to England and pull on the Wasps jersey.
"It's going to be difficult to leave the Waratahs at the end of this season - I first joined the Tahs when I was 16 and have loved every minute of it, but I feel the time is right to make this move.
"I have always loved playing in England and the recent World Cup was an amazing experience. The passion for the game in Europe is huge and I want to be a part of it.
"Wasps are a big club with a great coaching staff and very talented playing roster. Dai Young has told me about the atmosphere at the Ricoh Arena, how passionate the fans are and his plans for the future...it's something I'm really excited about."
Wasps' Director of Rugby Dai Young said: "There are very few players in world rugby who can really excite people and get spectators on the edge of their seats. Kurtley Beale is one of those rare talents.
"Every time he gets the ball in his hands, you can sense the anticipation among those watching that something is going to happen. At Wasps, we like to play expansive, attacking rugby, and these are the type of players we want within our set up.
"Kurtley's versatility is amazing when you think he's played international rugby at 15, 12, wing and on occasion at 10. To sign an international rugby player who can perform in all those positions will be a great strength for us moving forward.
