Sport can be the cruellest of mistresses at times, just ask Kurtley Beale.
The Australian full-back just yesterday signed a mega £1.5 million two-year contract with Aviva Premiership side London Wasps to make him the highest paid player in English rugby from next season, while this morning he was struck down with a serious knee injury that will end his Super Rugby season.
The 60-cap Wallaby lasted just 30 seconds into the Waratah's clash with the Bulls this morning, landing awkwardly after challenging for an aerial ball and the initial prognosis is that he has damaged his posterior cruciate ligament.
Beale has injured his PCL.
Luckily for Wasps it's within 14 days so are entitled to a refund or Waratahs' vouchers up to the same value
— Paul Williams (@thepaulwilliams) May 14, 2016
The injury could see him miss the beginning of next season for his new club, while the road to recovery may be shorter than expected with further scans expected to take place next week.
"He has suffered a significant injury to his patella tendon and at the moment he is being transported to hospital," Waratah's coach Daryl Gibson said after the match.
"Until we have scans we don't know the severity of it, but at this stage it's very significant."
Asked whether he thought Beale was a chance of returning for the Waratahs this season, Gibson said: "Hard to say at the moment, but I would say that is very unlikely."
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