Rebels v Waratahs: Teams
The Waratahs have named former Australian Sevens captain Bernard Foley in their line-up to face the Rebels on Friday.
Last Updated: 01/03/12 10:07am
Melbourne Rebels full-back Kurtley Beale has failed in his bid to be fit in time for Friday's clash with the Waratahs.
Beale, who made the move to the Rebels from the Waratahs in the off-season, has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, so Mark Gerrard starts in the No.15 jersey.
Ged Robinson and Stirling Mortlock are also missing, so hooker Adam Freier and centre Mitch Inman both start.
There is also a first start for marquee signing James O'Connor, with the talented Australia international starting at inside centre and Danny Cipriani named at fly-half.
There is also a new-look back-row with Tom Chamberlain and Luke Jones handed their chances alongside stand-in skipper Gareth Delve.
Agonising
The Waratahs have named former Australian Sevens captain Bernard Foley in their line-up to face the Rebels at the AAMI Park on Friday.
Foley will start the game at full-back in the only change following the agonising last-second defeat to the Reds.
Foley's inclusion means the versatile Adam Ashley-Cooper switches to the wing, with Brackin Kauarria-Henry relegated to the bench.
"Bernard made an immediate impact when he came on against the Reds on Saturday," said 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 on Friday night.
"As a team, we've identified the things we did well last weekend and the things that undermined us."
Melbourne Rebels: 15 Mark Gerrard, 14 Lachlan Mitchell, 13 Mitch Inman, 12 James O'Connor, 11 Cooper Vuna, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Gareth Delve (c), 7 Tom Chamberlain, 6 Luke Jones, 5 Hugh Pyle, 4 Adam Byrnes, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 Adam Freier, 1 Nic Henderson.
Replacements: 16 Luke Holmes, 17 Rodney Blake, 18 Alister Campbell, 19 Jarrod Saffy, 20 Richard Kingi, 21 Lloyd Johansson, 22 Julian Huxley.
Waratahs: 15 Bernard Foley, 14 Tom Kingston, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Tom Carter, 11 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 10 Daniel Halangahu (c), 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Chris Alcock, 6 Dave Dennis, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Damien Fitzpatrick, 17 Paddy Ryan, 18 Lopeti Timani, 19 Jono Jenkins, 20 Brendan McKibbin, 21 Brackin Karauria-Henry, 22 Nathan Trist.
