The NSW Waratahs must reignite their spluttering Super Rugby season without Bernard Foley after the Wallabies playmaker was ruled out of Saturday night's crunch match with the Brumbies.
Foley was scratched after once again failing to meet concussion protocols after Friday's captain's run in Sydney.
"Bernard isn't quite 100 per cent and still experiencing some symptoms," said Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson.
"He has trained all week and completed his cognitive tests. We have seen improvements but he still has some symptoms lingering.
"It's frustrating for Bernard being so very close - he more than anyone wants to be back out on the field.
"But we won't want to push him so we'll give him more time and ensure we take all the necessary precautions to get him back to 100 per cent."
Bryce Hegarty will once again start in the No.10 jersey, having deputised for Foley since the five-eighth suffered a head knock in a pre-season trial against the Highlanders.
The Foley setback aside, the Waratahs are promising the Brumbies no more charities after ill-discipline and sloppy ball security cost them dearly on a demoralising two-loss tour of South Africa.
The Tahs are conceding almost a dozen penalties a game and also rank third-worst for yellow cards after having four players sent to the sin bin in the opening three rounds.
They also gifted the Sharks three tries from turnovers last outing in Durban and admitted enough's enough.
"We've probably been our own worst enemy when we were over in South Africa and, this week, we've focused on a lot on what we need to do instead of the Waratahs beating the Waratahs," said halfback Nick Phipps.
"We just want to make sure we're playing some good footy, getting our style in flow and in shape so we can score some points and put a bit more pressure on the opposition team instead of us holding all the pressure."
While Foley is out, the Waratahs' pack has been bolstered by the return of giant forwards Jed Holloway and Will Skelton in what shapes as a ferocious up-front battle.
"As we saw last week in the Brumbies-Force game, they've got a formidable pack and they're well drilled," said Tahs assistant coach Chris Malone.
"So for us to have a guy like Will back in the engine room is really good.
"Clearly, it doesn't matter whether it's wet or dry - your forwards have still got to get you going forward and we're confident in the fact that we've got a good pack and we'll be able to get on the front foot tomorrow."
Share
