League: Beale out to repay Kearney's faith

Gerard Beale. Photo / Getty Images

New Kiwis winger Gerard Beale admits he needs to repay the faith shown by Stephen Kearney, after his surprise call up for the opening Four Nations match against Australia.

After Dallin Watene-Zelezniak was ruled out through injury, most pundits expected Kearney to replace him with a specialist winger, with Manu Vatuvei the obvious option.

Instead the New Zealand coach has plumped for the Dragons utility, who played centre in this year's Anzac Test.

"[Stephen] has put a lot of faith in me and I will have to take that on board and give it my all," says Beale. "I know Manu could have easily slotted in there...but I am sure he will get a run next week or the week after."

"I'm thankful [to be selected] - with Mooks (Kearney) showing he believes in me. I definitely want to go out there and give it my best and not let the team down".

Beale is confident he can handle the threat of Daniel Tupou, despite the significant height advantage enjoyed by the Kangaroos player. The 1.95m Tupou will tower over Beale (1.81m), especially when Daly Cherry-Evans and Cooper Cronk go to the air.

"It will be a big challenge coming up against him," says Beale. "He's playing with [Roosters team mate] Michael Jennings so he is going to feel comfortable out there and Dean [Whare] and I are going to have our hands full. [We] need to make sure we are ready.

Beale discounts suggestions that the Australians are there for the taking, despite a large number of first choice players withdrawing from the team.

"I wouldn't say they are vulnerable," says Beale. "They have a really in form side and we will have to step up."

Meanwhile, Beale says he has yet to have any discussions about his future with St George management. Recent Australian media reports have suggested that Beale will be released - most probably going to the Titans - as the Dragons need to cut players to get under the salary cap for 2015.

"I'm laughing at what you see in the paper but that's footy and there is always going to be changes," says Beale. "I haven't spoken about it or anything so I am not sure where it has come from."

It seems like an unwelcome distraction but Beale says it is far from front of mind.

"I'm trying to stay away from it," says Beale, who has a year left on his current contract. "It will resolve itself over the next month or so. I'm focussed on the Kiwis for now and once the tournament is over I will find out where things are at."

This week in Brisbane Beale is sharing a room with Jason Nightingale - also the subject of transfer speculation - but it hasn't been a hot topic among the Dragons pair.

"We haven't really spoken about it," laughs Beale. "It's not really a distraction. We are in camp, focussing on winning the tournament and forget about everything else."