Vodacom Super 14
Beale: I went for intercept
2010-03-08 11:08
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Sydney - Kurtley Beale is adamant he did not deliberately knock down a pass to prevent the Sharks scoring a match-winning try against the Waratahs in the dramatic finale to Saturday's Super 14 fixture at Sydney Football Stadium.
Super 14: Team of the Tournament
GALLERY: Round 4The Waratahs held a 25-21 lead with three minutes to go when Beale got a hand on a pass from Sharks' fullback Stefan Terblanche to No 8 Ryan Kankowski, who had a clear run to the tryline.
Referee Paul Marks sent Beale to the sin-bin for deliberately knocking the ball down, but the official ignored pleas from Sharks' players to award a penalty try.
The Daily Telegraph reports that Beale's desperate action could prove to be a significant moment in the Waratahs' season, as his side held on to grab a crucial victory.
"I just saw it was two-on-one and tried to go for the intercept and hit the ball up," Beale told
The Daily Telegraph of the moment that saw him sent to the sin-bin for the first time in his career.
"I was a little anxious and frustrated, but the boys dug deep and hopefully we can learn from that," said Beale.
Beale's emotions turned to excitement and relief at full-time.
"If I hadn't hit the ball up, it was going to be a try and it would have been a totally different story," he said.