Kurtley Beale returns to the rugby field for Randwick in the Shute Shield KURTLEY Beale would not wilt under the pressure of the British and Irish Lions series, according to fellow Wallaby Drew Mitchell. Beale and Mitchell played for Randwick in the Shute Shield yesterday, marking the on-field return of Beale after he checked into rehabilitation for alcohol issues. While Beale did not set the game alight as Randwick lost 38-25 to Sydney University, he showed enough glimpses of his brilliance that Wallabies coach Robbie Deans will consider him among the extra six players to be selected in the squad on June 11. "I'm certainly not forecasting his selection, but if he was to be chosen I'd certainly back the guy," Mitchell said. He needs to maintain a support structure around him going into it. If he keeps the focus on the job and limits the distractions around him, keeps a clear mind, I don't think he will be overawed by it. He has played in big games, he has produced big plays in big games. I don't think the stage gets to him if he has limited distractions. Beale refused to give interviews, but he did greet reporters outside the change room and was in good spirits. The trademark hop-skip and run was on display during the match, which marked Beale's first 80-minute effort in three months. It was a sight to hearten the Wallabies' selectors, and make the Lions slightly nervous. They would have figured, when Australia's squad was named a fortnight ago without Beale, that the danger man would have missed the series. The Welsh, particularly, have painful memories of Beale's last appearance for Australia. Their players still talk in haunted tones about his last-minute try that gave the Wallabies an incredible win in Cardiff last December. Kurtley Beale of Randwick in action during the Shute Shield Rugby game between Sydney University and Randwick at Sydney University. Picture: Evans Mark Watched by Wallabies manager Bob Edgerton, ARU chief executive Bill Pulver, Waratahs coach Michael Cheika and a host of famous former players, Beale managed to get through the game injury free. It is set to be the only game he plays before Deans selects the final six players. Sydney Uni, the defending Australian club champions, were in no mood to give Beale a charitable reception, largely keeping him restrained with smart tactical play and dominant defence. A simple fumble by Beale before halftime showed there are still cobwebs to brush off. It would have been galling for Beale when Uni skipper Tim Davidson, a teammate at the the Rebels, ran around him to score the opening try of the second half. But he bounced back to be heavily involved in the Galloping Greens' first try in the 53rd minute. Beale made a midfield break, then produced an interplay with his props on the touchline, before throwing a cutout pass that led to Cayden Matehaere crossing. Beale went close to scoring two minutes before fulltime after making a break, but was tackled into touch just short. Beale had been suspended by the Rebels two months ago for hitting skipper Gareth Delve and teammate Cooper Vuna during a night out in Durban following their 64-7 hammering at the hands of the Sharks. Beale returned to Sydney to be closer to family and friends and undergo counselling. He met the sufficient marks to be reconsidered for the Rebels after four weeks, and returned to play a starring cameo against Super Rugby champions the Chiefs. It seemed as though Beale was back on track, however, after the match he was seen drinking by teammates at a party, and was hauled in by Rebels officials. It was decided by Beale, his club and the ARU that he would check himself into a rehabilitation facility in Sydney, the same one NRL star Ben Barba used to overcome his troubles earlier this year. At that point, there were no guarantees on Beale's future. While it was always assumed he would return to rugby at some point, the Lions series appeared a distant dream.