Kurtley Beale bracketed with Ashley-Cooper

RICHARD KNOWLER

Last updated 13:33 14/10/2011

Text Size

Getty Images

INJURY: Wallabies fullback Kurtley Beale has been diagnosed with a minor hamstring strain.

RWC 2011 - Australia Team Announcment

Relevant offers

Rugby

Hammett puts Canes' onus on togetherness Messam may not be leader when Chiefs run out Blackadder seeks set-piece security for Crusaders Kaino relaxed about where he slots in with Blues Thomas Waldrom staying on with Leicester Highlanders coach again looks to 'Mr Fixit' Smith Internet lets Carter maintain Crusaders links Underdone Conrad confident he'll last distance Kiwi Harris to fill Quade's boots for Reds Piri Weepu on bench for Blues against Crusaders

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans will wait until tomorrow before revealing whether fullback Kurtley Beale will start Sunday night’s World Cup semifinal against the All Blacks.

Beale has been bracketed with Adam Ashley-Cooper after suffering a minor hamstring tear in last weekend’s 11-9 quarterfinal win over the Springboks in Wellington.

Despite not being fully fit, Beale’s inclusion is proof just how much Deans values the mercurial ball-runner and wants him to play at Eden Park.

Although Deans is prepared to give the counter-attacking dynamo an extra day to recover, he will need to prove he is fully fit at tomorrow’s captain’s run.

Beale was running at training today but if he is scratched, Ashley-Cooper’s place in the midfield will be filled by Anthony Fainga’a and Rob Horne will be listed on the bench.

Although Deans has the liberty of waiting until Sunday before confirming who will run at No 15, he said he wanted to ink in his starter well ahead of kick-off.

“He will need to convince us he is 100 per cent,’’ Deans confirmed.

Deans noted Beale had done a “significant amount of running’’ at training but still needed to prove he had “no ill-effects’’ from the injury; if he was rubbed out it would not be a major distraction for this team he maintained.

“We will have obviously prepared anyway… the team has prepared well, it won’t affect them.’’

For lock Nathan Sharpe there will be no chance to play his 100th test; Deans has demoted him from the bench and replaced him with Rob Simmons.

It is a cruel blow for the Western Force second-rower but Deans said there was no room for sentimentality. “Those sorts of considerations don’t come into the consideration.’’

And he said Sharpe had accepted the tough news with grace.

“Very well, he is a class act,’’ Deans, who also didn't play Sharpe in either of the previous two tests against the All Blacks this year, said. “You have seen throughout this year we have had a horses-for-courses approach. It is not a new territory I guess. Only 22 are lucky enough to pull on the jersey on the day.’’

Ad Feedback

Simmons has been picked because he offers another dimension as an impact player and his selection is an indication of the quick tempo Deans expects from the All Blacks.

“He is athletic, he has a slightly different skill set from Sharpie.’’

Second five-eighths Pat McCabe has recovered from the shoulder injury he carried into recent matches and will expect a torrid workout will from New Zealand’s powerful midfielder Ma’a Nonu.

“He came into this week in better shape than the previous (week). You can’t be sure what can happen, whether it be Paddy or anyone else. He will be ready to go.’’

Australia: Kurtley Beale/Adam Ashley-Cooper, James O'Connor, Ashley-Cooper/Anthony Faingaa, Pat McCabe, Digby Ioane, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Radike Samo, David Pocock, Rocky Elsom, James Horwill (capt), Dan Vickerman, Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, Sekope Kepu. Reserves: Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Slipper, Rob Simmons, Ben McCalman, Luke Burgess, Berrick Barnes, Faingaa/Rob Horne.

- © Fairfax NZ News