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Kurtley Beale has joined Western Force on a short-term deal, the 95-cap Wallabies star signing until the end of the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season. Beale, 35, can play in numerous positions across the backline and adds vast Super Rugby experience as the second-most-capped New South Wales Waratahs men's player, making 148 appearances for the club. He played in the Waratahs side that won the 2014 Super Rugby title, and has also played for Melbourne Rebels, English club Wasps and Racing 92 in France.  He has featured for Australia at three World Cups, and won the John Eales Medal in 2011 for Australian rugby's male player of the year. Beale said he was "excited to join the Force" and was "looking forward to making the move to Perth with my family". "There's enormous potential across the Force's playing group and I'm eager to support the momentum they're building. I know I have plenty to offer and I'm grateful for the opportunity to continue playing the game that I love." Force head coach Simon Cron said: "Kurtley has reached the top of the game during his playing career, playing at three World Cups, bringing up almost 100 Wallabies caps and winning a Super Rugby title. He also has very positive relationships with some of our existing squad members which was important in the decision. "Having coached KB before, I know he is a player who will always help to develop young talent and add to the team's leadership on field." Beale was recently found not guilty of sexual intercourse without consent over an incident in the bathroom of a Sydney pub in 2022. He was also cleared of two counts of sexual touching without consent, after a jury returned its verdict on Friday having deliberated for just over two hours. Beale will commence training with the Force playing group in Perth following the men's squad's upcoming five-day bye week
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