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Rebels Beale to miss NSW Super Rugby clash

29th February, 2012
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The Melbourne Rebels’ ambitions of a winning start to their Super Rugby campaign have been dealt a heavy blow with Wallabies fullback Kurtley Beale ruled out of Friday’s clash with the NSW Waratahs.

The Rebels had planned to give Beale until game day to prove the readiness of his troublesome hamstring for the clash with his former team at AAMI Park.

But they bowed to the inevitable on Wednesday, accepting he could not play, leaving veteran Mark Gerrard to take over at fullback.

After finishing a distant last on the Super Rugby ladder in their inaugural season in 2011, the Rebels – who had a first-round bye – are looking for a fast start this year.

And they still have vivid memories of being towelled up 43-0 by the Waratahs in the corresponding fixture in 2011.

“We’ve been targeting the start of the season to start well and we need to,” Gerrard said.

He said the blossoming combination between five-eighth Danny Cipriani and star recruit James O’Connor was vital to their chances.

“The boys have been playing some good footy together so I think that combination’s going to be a key to how we play,” Gerrard said.

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“Considering they’re both international players, I think they’ll be OK if NSW do target them.”

The Waratahs also have a new fullback with former Australian sevens captain Bernard Foley earning a promotion from the bench.

The elevation of the exciting Foley, forcing Adam Ashley-Cooper to the wing, is the only change to the Waratahs starting side that lost on the bell to Queensland in round one.

Winger Brackin Kauarria-Henry has been relegated to the bench.

“Bernard made an immediate impact when he came on against the Reds on Saturday,” said NSW coach Michael Foley.

“His form was also evident during our trial matches and he’s been rewarded with a start against the Rebels in Melbourne.”

NSW will again be without Berrick Barnes, who has been given another week to fully overcome a groin injury, with stand-in captain Daniel Halangahu remaining at five-eighth.

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Former Waratah Gerrard said he still had plenty of friends in the NSW camp, although that would be forgotten after kick-off.

He watched their last-ditch loss to the Reds and hoped they were still stewing over it.

“They might be a bit shell-shocked at what happened,” Gerrard said.

“Hopefully, they’re grieving on it and, hopefully, we can bite them again and see how we go.”

NSW Waratahs: Bernard Foley, Tom Kingston, Rob Horne, Tom Carter, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Daniel Halangahu (capt), Sarel Pretorius, Wycliff Palu, Chris Alcock, Dave Dennis, Kane Douglas, Dean Mumm, Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson. Reserves: Damien Fitzpatrick, Paddy Ryan, Lopeti Timani, Jono Jenkins, Brendan McKibbin, Brackin Kauarria-Henry, Nathan Trist.

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