He may only be a stop-gap playmaker but game-breaker Kurtley Beale rates himself far better than the impetuous five-eighth who took NSW to the 2008 Super Rugby final.

And knowing he must take Friday's play-off by the scruff of the neck if the injury-riddled Waratahs are to upset the Blues, Beale backed himself to take the right calculated risks at Eden Park.

The Wallabies fullback has been in career-best form over the past month at No.15 and coach Chris Hickey admits his move to five-eighth diminishes the danger he's produced in open spaces.

But Beale on Wednesday stressed he would make his switch, due to injuries to Daniel Halangahu and Berrick Barnes, a success, and mix his flair and adventure with cool-headed precision.

"We've got a game plan for me to do that," he said in Auckland.

"I'm picking the right times to do something a bit risky and pull it off.

"For me, it doesn't really change. I think every now and then over the last few weeks I've been popping up at first five-eighth.

"I don't think anything changes, just a bit more responsibility is on me."

Beale was still a rookie in his second season of senior rugby when he played No.10 in the Waratahs' 2008 charge to a final loss to the Crusaders in Christchurch.

He recognises he was still playing as a richly-gifted schoolboy talent then, and he now can far better handle the crucial playmaking role.

"Just my knowledge of the game, I think I'm able to understand the game (more)," the 22-year-old said.

"As a youngster I wanted to go out there and score off every play and now I know when to pick and choose and when to have a crack.

"That's where I've developed as a football player.

"Now it's my turn to actually step up and take control of the game - take the forwards around the park and organise all the plays."

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