Super Rugby
Waratahs look to Carraro in absence of Beale
June 25, 2015
Greg Growden previews the Super Rugby semi-finals

NSW Waratahs star Kurtley Beale will not play against the Highlanders in Saturday's semi-final in Sydney.

Beale hadn't trained all week because of a quadriceps injury and failed to convince Waratahs coach Michael Cheika of his fitness on Thursday, leaving Matt Carraro to reprise the role he filled against Queensland Reds a fortnight ago.

The only change from the starting side that defeated the Reds sees Rob Horne return on the wing with Peter Betham shifting back to an extended bench.

Meanwhile, Highlanders full-back Ben Smith has identified Waratahs counterpart Israel Folau as the man most likely to trouble his side come Saturday night. The clash of arguably the world's premier attacking No.15s is a crucial element of the game which pits the defending champions at home to a Highlanders team riding a wave of momentum.

The visitors have won five of their past six games, all by double-figure margins, and are one win short of booking their first appearance in a final since a lone failed visit in 1999.

It's similar for the Waratahs, whose four wins from their past five games have all been sizeable. Smith says analysis has highlighted the influence of former rugby league weapon Folau, who can prise open a defensive line in numerous ways.

"He's massive for their game; they get a lot of momentum through him," Smith said. "He can offload because he's a big man but he can glide through defences just as easily. They try and run a lot of their plays off the back of him and why wouldn't they? He's one of the most-dangerous players in world rugby at the moment and we'll have to stop him."

Kurtley Beale (L) and Israel Folau are the Waratahs' two most dangerous players © Getty Images
Enlarge

Folau's 1606 metres run is the most in this year's competition, well clear of second-placed Highlanders winger Waisake Naholo (1310m). That pair, and Smith, are also high in other categories such as clean breaks and defenders beaten, suggesting an open affair awaits.

The Highlanders will look for a similar inspirational moment to that produced by centre Malakai Fekitoa when the Highlanders beat the Waratahs 26-19 in March in Dunedin. Fekitoa stripped Folau of possession in a jolting tackle, before sending Naholo clear for a long-range try as the hosts compiled 26 unanswered points during the middle stages.

Smith said the Waratahs had improved considerably since then, matching the form that carried them to a maiden title last year. He said his team were only training lightly this week to rest weary bodies and would cross the Tasman a day out from the game, 24 hours later than usual. That is in an attempt to improve a poor record in Sydney, where they feel they have suffered through poor preparation.

The Highlanders' only two wins from nine visits have been by one point, while the Waratahs have pulled off big victories in their past three Sydney showdowns.

Waratahs: Israel Folau, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Matt Carraro, Rob Horne, Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps; Wycliff Palu, Michael Hooper, Jacques Potgieter; Dave Dennis, Will Skelton; Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson. Replacements: Tolu Latu, Jeremy Tilse, Paddy Ryan, Mitchell Chapman, Stephen Hoiles, Pat McCutcheon, Brendan McKibbin, Jono Lance, Peter Betham.

© AAP

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.