Kurtley Beale has ended months of speculation by re-signing with the NSW Waratahs and Australian Rugby Union for another year.
The retention is a huge boost for Waratahs and Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, who will have the star playmaker available for the 2015 Rugby World Cup in Britain.
Beale's future in Australian rugby was in serious jeopardy following his in-flight clash with former Wallabies business manager Di Patston in September.
He was subsequently fined $40,000 after revelations that he'd also sent lewd text messages about Patston to teammates earlier in the year.
The 26-year-old, though, rebounded from the fine and an indefinite suspension to return to the Wallabies fold during their European tour in November.
With his immediate playing future now settled, Beale can now put the dramas and controversies completely behind him and focus on the Waratahs' Super Rugby title defence in 2015 and push for World Cup selection.
"I'm really looking forward to the year ahead and am grateful to the ARU and Waratahs for the opportunity to continue my career here in Australia," Beale said on Friday.
"With the Rugby World Cup coming up, I'm looking forward to getting back out there and playing some good rugby for the Waratahs and hopefully getting selected for the Wallabies."
Cheika acknowledged Beale's "fantastic" contribution to the Waratahs' title campaign last year and said he was looking forward to a big 2015 from the classy back.
"Kurtley is a fantastic player who will add to our great talent pool of inside backs," said Cheika.
"I'm looking forward to getting the best out of him again over the next 12 months."
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