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Beale's poised for a promotion
Rupert Guinness in Kimberley, c/o Rugby Heaven
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Teenage sensation Kurtley Beale is almost certain to graduate from a Super 14 bench player to starter on Saturday when NSW play the Cheetahs in their last match of this tough three-match South African tour.
The Waratahs would not comment on the prospect of the 18-year-old playing in the No.10 jersey yesterday after naming a 22-man squad for the match.
But the likelihood Beale will force Daniel Halangahu to the bench was as clear as the sky above the world diamond mining capital of Kimberley where the game will be played.
For most of a 90-minute session on a ground adjacent to Absa Park where they will take on the physical Cheetahs outfit, Beale ran in what appeared to be NSW coach Ewen McKenzie's first-choice line-up.
And judging by who was in that selection, Beale's promotion after so far starting on the bench against the Lions and the Sharks, is set to be one of five alterations to the starting side that last Friday lost to the Sharks in Durban.
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"We are looking at all our options," McKenzie said. "We are obviously coming off a loss. And we are also looking to develop our play and develop our potential. I am not going to rule Kurtley out. I am not ruling anyone else in or out."
Besides the expected start from Beale, the four other likely changes in the Waratahs starting line-up - unless McKenzie has a change of heart - will be:
� Back Ben Jacobs switching from inside- to outside-centre, with Morgan Turinui moving to the bench.
� Sam Harris moving from the bench to start at inside-centre in place of Jacobs.
� Halfback Brett Sheehan, after playing off the bench in rounds one and two, earning the No.9 slot with Josh Valentine moving to the bench.
� Lock-cum flanker Dean Mumm coming off the bench to start in the second row with Will Caldwell for Ben Hand, who will return to the bench.
Meanwhile, there are two additions onto the bench from outside the 22 that played in Durban last Friday.
� Prop Jeremy Tilse has been picked for his first Super 14 game, his selection forcing Aaron Broughton-Rouse out of the 22-man squad.
� Back-rower Tim Davidson moves on to the bench for specialist openside breakaway Beau Robinson who debuted last week.
McKenzie's ploy to be tight-lipped about who will start for NSW is as much about playing - and trying to beat - the South Africans at their own mind games, as it is to get the better of them with their game on the field.
Yesterday, he made it clear that he is even likely to not confirm the names of his starting XV until the latest deadline allowed in Super 14 competition, which is one hour before the scheduled 3.30pm kick-off, South African time.
Tahs to tick off Turinui
From Peter Jenkins in Kimberley, Daily Telegraph
February 14, 2007
MORGAN Turinui will be a shock sacking when the Waratahs unveil a revamped backline boasting Kurtley Beale at five-eighth for their South African tour finale.
Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie has thrown a shroud of secrecy over his starting line-up for the clash with the Cheetahs on Sunday morning (AEDT) and will not confirm a side until an hour before kick-off.
But as the Waratahs trained yesterday in once diamond-rich Kimberley, on a field co-habited by a family of meerkats, there were significant pointers that five changes were looming in the wake of the loss to the Sharks.
Beale is poised to replace Daniel Halangahu, but the surprise elements to an imminent reshuffle emerged wider in the backline where Sam Harris and Ben Jacobs opened preparations as a new-look midfield pairing.
When the Waratahs stumbled in Durban, Jacobs was at inside centre with Turinui at outside centre.
But Sam Harris appears certain to take over at No.12 with Jacobs shifting out one spot to squeeze Turinui to the bench.
In two other expected changes, Brett Sheehan will depose Josh Valentine at halfback and Dean Mumm will move into the second row at the expense of Ben Hand.
Unless McKenzie alters his thinking or was simply engaging in an early-week ruse - he remained guarded on his plans after naming a 22-man squad for the match - NSW will engage in a total restructure from half to outside centre.
The demotion of Turinui, given 18-year-old Beale will be on debut, appears confusing.
Turinui has long been the brains of the Waratahs backline, possessing a depth of experience and tactical nous that Mat Rogers credited with helping him through his first appearance as a Test five-eighth against New Zealand in 2005.
Harris, who returned from a stint in league late last season, has not started a Super 14 match since 2002.
But McKenzie was giving nothing away, refusing to speculate on any of the apparent changes, in what he described as the Waratahs' version of The Kimberley Protocol.
In the Hollywood blockbuster Blood Diamond, starring Leonardo de Caprio, The Kimberley Protocol refers to an agreement where gem suppliers refused to deal in diamonds with dubious origins.
McKenzie's take, while less sinister, is a pointed reaction to South African shenanigans.
"I'm not going to rule Kurtley or anyone else in or out," he said. "I don't normally (delay team announcements). But one thing I've learned over here is that South African teams name a side in the middle of the week then give out the real one an hour before kick-off.
"I'm just joining into the spirit of the occasion."
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