Rugby: Beale desperate to get a crack against All Blacks

Kurtley Beale is vying for a place on the bench for Saturday's Bledisloe Cup test against the All Blacks in Tokyo. Photo / Getty Images

TOKYO - Like any first-time Wallabies rugby tourist, Kurtley Beale says he'd be happy to play anywhere if it means earning his first test cap.

One of seven uncapped players in the 35-man spring tour squad, Beale is vying for a place on the bench for Saturday's Bledisloe Cup battle against the All Blacks in Tokyo.

The 20-year-old is more likely to win a place in the 22 for next Tuesday night's match against English club side Gloucester, but is nevertheless hoping his versatility will give him the nod over the likes of fellow backline utility Quade Cooper when Wallabies coach Robbie Deans names his squad today for the first test of the tour.

"It doesn't really bother me - 10, 12 and over, say, the last 12 months I've actually tried to develop into a 15," Beale said.

"And that's what Robbie said. He gave me a yell and said he prefers me at 15. He wants to have a look at me (there).

"But just to get into the side would be awesome. I've been practising at all positions so that if I do get the opportunity, I'll be ready. "

Beale is chuffed to be back in Japan after his junior World Cup campaign with the Australian under-20 team this year was cut short by injury.

"I'm very excited to be here. It's a great opportunity for myself. It's a huge step from what happened earlier in the year playing with the under-20s," he said.

"Obviously it will be a great honour to be selected first off. It will be a great experience. I mean, I've got to get there first. But I've just got to prepare well.

"Obviously if I do get selected, just go out there and try and play my natural game.

"I don't want to over complicate things if I do (get selected), so I'll just go out there and relax."

Most selection interest centres on the make-up of the Australian midfield for the Bledisloe Cup stoush, with Deans tipped to move Berrick Barnes to first five-eighth and start Matt Giteau at second five-eighth.

The Wallabies have lost their past six tests against the All Blacks, including all three Tri-Nations encounters this year, and are desperate to end the sorry streak before heading to the UK and Ireland for a grand slam attempt.

- AAP