Kurtley Beale is set for a move to Melbourne © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Kurtley Beale

Tournaments/Tours: Super Rugby

Teams: Australia | Melbourne Rebels | New South Wales Waratahs | Rebels

Wallabies fullback Kurtley Beale is set for a high-profile move to the Melbourne Rebels next season.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported on Wednesday that the 22-year-old will trade the Waratahs for Rebels on a two-year deal, with 'Tahs coach Chris Hickey confirming that the franchise had been informed of his decision. Beale's move is expected to be announced on Thursday.

"Kurtley will give his reasons when he makes his announcement but he has informed us of his decision," Hickey told AAP.

"What I want to stress is that this will happen in 2012 and in the meantime he's playing for the Waratahs and we expect him to make a significant contribution towards helping us to win the Super Rugby title.

"It's particularly disappointing because the Waratahs have played such a large part of Kurtley's career and we would have liked to have kept him. But quality players are always going to be difficult to keep."

Beale has deputised for the injured Berrick Barnes at fly-half in the Waratahs' recent outings but the versatile 14-cap Wallaby could be handed a midfield brief for this weekend's clash with the Blues in Auckland following a knock to Tom Carter.

Hickey has named an extended squad for the game, with Barnes (concussion), skipper Phil Waugh (calf), No.8 Wycliff Palu (hamstring), winger Atieli Pakalani (hamstring) and back-up hooker Damien Fitzpatrick (knee) all out of the picture.

Carter (hamstring) and openside Pat McCutcheon (leg) have been included in the 24-man squad but remain in some doubt for the round nine encounter. Fullback Sosene Anesi and teenager Tom Kingston are in line to come into the 22 for the first time this season, while Chris Alcock will wear the No.7 jersey if McCutcheon is ruled out.

"We're still looking at Tom Carter and Pat McCutcheon to assess their fitness leading into the match," Hickey said. "We've got really good cover in those positions; Kurtley Beale, Daniel Halangahu and Ryan Cross can all slot into the 12 channel and we've got Chris Alcock already there as cover for Pat.

"We need to be smart in giving them enough time to recover if they're a chance of playing, but we also need them fit enough to train with the group on Thursday to prepare properly for the Blues. We'll know more in the next 24 hours and have options in place for every scenario."