Double blow as Beale and Feliuai ruled out of Wallabies July Test Series opener

Mon, Jul 1, 2024, 2:30 AM
LW
by Lachlan Grey and Nathan Williamson

Joe Schmidt's Wallabies have suffered a dual blow ahead of Saturday's opening Test with backline duo Kurtley Beale and David Feluiai ruled out.

95-cap Beale went down during a Shute Shield fixture last weekend with scans on Monday confirming a ruptured Achilles.

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He will undergo surgery today and a timeframe for his return to play is yet to be confirmed.

Earlier, Wallabies teammate Andrew Kellaway described the news as a "massive shame".

"I grew up watching him and eventually playing with someone who I now consider a close mate, it sucks to see after he was right back on the brink of where he used to be," Kellaway said of Beale's injury.

"We were all excited to have him back and touch wood it's not too serious … but we've got a 38 man squad here so it's very much next guy in and excited to see how that pans out."

"It's super sad and everyone is feeling for Kurtley," flanker Fraser McReight added.

"No one ever wants to hear someone doing their Achilles or a major injury like that so everyone is feeling for him.

"We've got a great group and some great young players here so now we're just excited for what's ahead.

However, Beale's absence isn't the only curveball this week with rookie centre David Feliuai also unavailable for selection this week.

Feliuai was one of 13 uncapped players named in Schmidt's initial 38-man squad and trained in Brisbane last week.

However, Feliuai did not reassemble with the squad in Sydney due to personal reasons with Waratahs and Australia A representative Joey Walton called into the group.

Joe Schmidt is expected to name his matchday squad to face Wales on Thursday July 4.

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