DUBLIN: If Kurtley Beale still feels the heat of his text-message drama, it didn't show at his first training session in Ireland as he prepares for a shock Test comeback this week.
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Beale laughed and joked with his Wallabies teammates in Dublin and there was no hint of division in the team after six weeks of controversy and drama.
He was fined $45,000 after being found guilty of sending a lewd picture message of former team business manager Di Patston.
He was fined a further $3000 for his role in a mid-flight argument with Patston.
The drama led to Patston quitting and coach Ewen McKenzie resigning while ARU chief executive Bill Pulver and chairman Michael Hawker recommended Beale be sacked.
You wouldn't have known it as the Wallabies started preparations to play against Ireland at the Leinster 'A's' training venue on Monday.
"From a team point of view [Beale] offers a lot, everyone's happy to have him here," said former badboy Quade Cooper.
"[Wallabies coach Michael Cheika] speaks highly of him and knows his ability as a player. None of us are here to be politicians or play politics.
"But we're all here with the same focus of improving as a rugby team and improving as rugby players.
"From a professional point of view we're focusing on beating Ireland, we know it's going to be tough."
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has called Beale and Queensland Reds back-rower Jake Schatz into the touring squad for the last two Tests against Ireland and England.
Cheika is also poised to make changes to the line-up for the clash against Ireland, with Cooper, Will Genia, Matt Toomua and Henry Speight pushing for more game time.
Luke Jones is also in contention while Beale could be a shock starter on the bench.
Cheika views Beale as one of Australia's most talented players, but said he would not be rushed into the starting side.
Cooper moved to an unfamiliar role at inside centre in the 29-26 loss to France and the traditional five-eighth said he was prepare to play different roles to fit into the new Wallabies set up.
"Every player in this team has to be open to anything. New coaches come in with different ideas for new players and everyone has to adapt," Cooper said.
"We've got the same mindset of doing whatever we can to be a better team. When we're on that same wavelength with trying to work towards that goal, we'll be a better team in the future."
Schatz had to cut short a holiday in Thailand to join the Wallabies on tour after Scott Higginbotham was sent home with a hamstring injury.
Cheika is treating his return to Dublin like a 'home game', having coached Leinster for five years and leading the club to a European Cup triumph.
"Cheik is a man who's very passionate about coaching, he loves it. He has a lot of history here in Ireland and coming back here as the national coach is a challenge," Cooper said.
"He's always up for challenges, he's speaking to the team about the challenges on this tour and it's no different for him. We're going to work hard to make sure this team keeps growing."
