Kurtley Beale British and Irish Lions Happy man ... Kurtley Beale at a Wallabies training session. Kurtley Beale today labelled his return to the Wallabies for the British and Irish Lions Test series as the "pinnacle" of his career. Speaking for the first time since he finished his first phase of counselling for alcoholic issues and his recall to the Wallabies squad, the Rebels playmaker also expressed his gratitude for the opportunity he now has after his career was almost derailed completely for discipline issues that were related to alcohol. "I am very grateful for the opportunity," Beale said before Wallabies training at Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast this afternoon. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity, a great honour and to represent your country like this is a pinnacle. While Beale said that there is "a long way to go for myself personally .... I had to work on a few things off the field," he thanked his "close friends," the Australian Rugby Union and the support network that has formed around him in his return to the game. Beale did not want to elaborate on the detail of his counselling and the specific challenges posed. Asked why observers should believe he is over his personal hurdles and ready for the return to Test rugby that awaits him, Beale said he would: "Just keep that to myself" adding that "all my teammates know and that's what matters." He also said he also doesn't want to "think too far ahead" to not "lose focus." Beale, who learned of his selection in the Wallabies 31-man squad after training with them last week in Sydney, said he was especially keen to play at No. 10, but with James O'Connor poised for that position he would also be very happy at fullback or on the wing for the Wallabies. With Wallabies coach Robbie Deans sitting to his right, a smiling Beale summed up his mood by saying he was: "Very, very excited, over the moon mate. It's a time to kick on and move on with my life. Twitter: @rupertguinness