Beale rested from Wallabies' June Tests

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika says he will rest star Kurtley Beale from the June Tests against Fiji, Italy and Scotland.

Rugby Union player Kurtley Beale

Midfield star Kurtley Beale will be rested from the Wallabies' three June Tests. (AAP)

Midfield star Kurtley Beale will be rested from the Wallabies' three June Tests, making halfback Will Genia probably the only overseas-based player in the squad.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika will name a 33-man squad on Tuesday for the Tests against Fiji, Italy and Scotland, but he has revealed he will not play Beale before the Rugby Championship.

Beale suffered a hamstring injury last weekend in Wasps' English Premiership semi-final win over Leicester and only returned mid-season from a serious patella tendon injury which ruled him out of the Wallabies' entire 2016 Test campaign.

"Kurtley won't be coming back (for the June Tests)," Cheika said on Thursday.

"I think it's the right thing. I've talked to the medicos.

"I think considering the injury status he had before he left, and now a couple of niggles toward the end of the (English) season, it's not the first one he's had.

"I'd rather he just has a month off and keeps himself in some type of nick and he gets back here and has a good version of a pre-season before the Rugby Championship."

While there's been talk of Beale possibly playing for the NSW Waratahs in their Super Rugby matches after the June break, Cheika isn't fussed about picking him for the Rugby Championship if he doesn't have any more high-level games before that tournament.

"I'm happy to run him first cab off the rank; he knows enough about footy now,' Cheika said of Beale.

He said Genia would return to Australia after playing for Stade Francais in this weekend's European Champions Cup playoff final against Northampton.

Genia has indicated he would like to return to play in Australia, although it's believed his former Super Rugby club Queensland are unlikely to be able to afford him after committing to other halves on their roster.

Cheika said he was committed to bringing the 75-Test star back to Australia.

"It's pretty clear, if I pick him for the first Test, where I see him in the pecking order," Cheika said.

"So I would be crazy not to say 'is someone going to pick this chap up - hello'!"


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Source: AAP



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