NSW Waratahs “barometer” Kurtley Beale is playing in Thursday’s rugby trial against Melbourne Rebels but the nation’s two most established halfbacks will be missing.
Both teams will field eight Wallabies in their starting side with Test lock and new Rebels captain Adam Coleman making his first appearance for the Victorian franchise.
However among the notable absentees are Rebels and Wallabies halfback Will Genia (back) and his Test deputy and Waratahs No.9 Nick Phipps (calf).
Also missing will be three Wallabies with knee issues: Rebels winger Marika Koroibete and backrower Richard Hardwick and Waratahs lock-blindside flanker Ned Hanigan.
Beale, who is about to begin his third stint with the Tahs and is a former Rebel, pulled out of last week’s Tens tournament with an elbow injury.
“He’s like the barometer of the team, KB, when he’s up the whole team is up and you feel when there’s a loss that he hates it,” Waratahs captain Michael Hooper said.
“He’s great to have in the changing room, he lives and breathes the Tahs, so it’s great to have him back.”
Former Reds lock and Wallabies stalwart Rob Simmons will make his debut for NSW.
“He’s been fantastic since coming to Sydney, he’s pumped to play and pumped to prove a point,” Hooper said.
The match also marks the return of Waratahs and Wallabies fullback Israel Folau, who was rested from last year’s spring tour.
“He’s mentally refreshed, he looks in fantastic shape, so I know he’ll be coming out and wanting to prove a point,” Hooper said.
Both teams will be looking to build combinations and confidence after being heavily beaten in their first trials.
Tha Tahs were defeated 55-29 by the Highlanders and the Rebels were flogged 50-19 by the Brumbies.
NSW Waratahs: Israel Folau, Alex Newsome, Curtis Rona, Kurtley Beale, Andrew Kellaway, Bernard Foley, Jake Gordon, Jed Holloway, Michael Hooper (capt), Michael Wells, Rob Simmons, Tom Staniforth, Paddy Ryan, Damien Fitzpatrick, Tom Robertson.
Melbourne Rebels: Dane Haylett-Petty, Jack Maddocks, Tom English, Reece Hodge, Sefa Naivalu, Jack Debreczeni, Michael Ruru, Amanaki Mafi, Angus Cottrell, Lopeti Timani, Adam Coleman (capt), Matt Philip, Jermaine Ainsley, Jordan Uelese, Tetera Faulkner
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Guest
Cynical, on a more realistic planet, there is a bid for Quade from the. Rebels. Quade packs his bags for Melbourne as 2 Reds 10's (dont know their names -they were at school last season) go down with ankle and shoulder injuries for season). Brad interrupts the packing and begs Quade to stay. Quade replies 'I signed a contract and I'm going to honour it' Off he goes. As he is flying over Sydney., Bernard bumps his head on a rampaging Holloway's knee inadvertently at training. Suddenly the Wallatah with the most minutes of rugby in the universe is on Zero minutes till the doctor says otherwise. The Reds and Tahs concentrate on defence as never before. Never before have they had so little attack. The Brumbies, also have a 10 on work experience, but their scrum and defence suits their game so they stabilise mid table. The Rebels, with RA money top up Quade's money, and unleash their outside backs who put all to the sword (except the Saders Blues and Canes). The Wallabies while waiting for Bernard to feel better, put a few kids in trial at 10 in national colours. Each have great skills but only 2 of the 6 core KPIs of a classy 10. Ireland laughs all the way to the tryline. Wallaby coach told to pick a real 10 or pack his bags. He picks a real ten, who turns out to be a choice between Quade and a kid carving up the U/17's at Joeys. DISCLAIMER: No real 10's were injured in the drafting of this rant, nor does the poster wish any injury upon any, especially one ofthe best utlity backs in the world (currently playing 10 for an ancient Oz franchise) But in a real world injuries do happen, and each team needs at least 3 experienced 10's in their wider squad to have a hope. (RWC winners in 2011 needed 4)
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Still waiting for you to take up my offer to talk rugby at Woollhara oval next weekend if you can pry yourself away from scabbing free jugs of beer at Easts.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
What about the 95% of the time you get it wrong Jock?
Malo
Guest
Twas & Fion you always get it wrong, no feel for the game.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Nah. QLD 2 also.
Malo
Guest
2014 super Rugby CHAMPS, rebels and reds 2018 spoons, rebels should cease to exist as they are almost invisible to the sporting landscape now. It’s just a quasi Shute Shield mix
Malo
Guest
Rebels 0, qld 1
Malo
Guest
Told ya, the Sunwolves will beat the rebels.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Years of conference structure - 7 Years of Tahs topping it - 2 “As usual” aye.
Cynical Play
Guest
QC to the rebels, pronto.
Fionn
Guest
Pretty poor, wasn't it? Not convinced that Maddocks shouldn't be the Jack that plays 10. That said, the Waratahs smashed the Brumbies in the trial last year and then the Brumbies were far better in the season. So who knows whether it will be indicative of the season at all. Still, not a good sign for the Rebels.
Fionn
Guest
'The Tahs as usual that win the Aus conference' ???
Paul D
Roar Rookie
So.... How many extra millions and squad members did the Rebels need for that effort??? ;)
Malo
Guest
Every year the experts say qld and the rebels are going to be brilliant but it will the Tahs as usual that win the aus conference . They have the best players hence the wallaby selections. Qld and rebels will get smashed this year and the so called experts will be in shock.
Fionn
Guest
It was a sick try from Hooper though.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Bit like watching a episode of dumb and dumber at the moment.....
jeznez
Roar Guru
I'm surprised that Fitzpatrick is starting. Always thought he was serviceable without being anything special when he was in the squad before. Hopefully you are correct and Latu will be getting first crack.
piru
Roar Rookie
Mate I'm going to be dancing on some bookmarks come end of season!
piru
Roar Rookie
Clearly you know more than 3 international coaches that won Super Rugby. Apparently so I have eyes
Cynical Play
Guest
Would have like to see JP Sauni have a run. But not much room with Roach and Latu on bench. I see Latu having first crack at 2 when the comp starts.