Dejected coach Daryl Gibson is resigned to being without Kurtley Beale for the rest of the Super Rugby season with the star playmaker suffering a serious knee injury in the NSW Waratahs' 31-8 triumph over the Bulls.
The Waratahs shot to the top of the Australian conference on Saturday night with the bonus-point win, but were left shattered by the likelihood Beale had played his last game for the franchise after signing a multi-million-dollar two-year deal to join Wasps in England.
Beale lasted just 40 seconds before being stretchered off after landing awkwardly on his left knee on the newly laid surface at Allianz Stadium and was taken to hospital to determine his immediate fate.
"He has suffered a significant injury to his patella tendon," Gibson said.
"Until we have scans, we won't know the severity of that but certainly, at this stage, it's very significant."
Gibson admitted Beale's injury was a massive blow to the Waratahs' title hopes.
"Obviously at this time of the year, particularly with the sparkling form that he was in," the coach said.
"It's certainly a big part of our attack, to have that taken away."
It's also a huge setback for Wallabies coach Michael Cheika ahead of next month's three-Test series with England.
Incredibly, the injury came a day after Beale had ended months of speculation by confirming he'd signed with Wasps on a one-year deal with a second-year option that will reportedly make the 27-year-old the highest-paid player in the English premiership.
Skipper Michael Hooper said he'd be devastated for Beale if this was the way he ended his Waratahs career.
"He wants to give so much more and loves to play for this club. That's why the decision was so hard for him," Hooper said.
Youngster David Horwitz at least showed there was life after Beale for the Tahs with a strong game after replacing the backline linchpin and forging a nice centre partnership with Israel Folau.
Halfback Nick Phipps, though, was the undoubted match winner with two tries and an assist.
Phipps received a standing ovation after scoring the opener in the 35th minute, then putting flanker Dean Mumm over just after halftime and seemingly clinching the bonus point after backing up Folau to dive over under the posts with 10 minutes remaining.
A try to Bulls replacement Dries Swanepoel two minutes later threatened to deny NSW the all-important bonus point but reserve prop Angus Ta'avao forced his way over in the dying stages to ensure the Waratahs leapfrogged the Brumbies on the competition table.
The Waratahs' fourth straight victory comes ahead of Friday night's blockbuster showdown with the table-topping Crusaders in Christchurch.
Also boasting a game in hand on the Brumbies, the second-placed Waratahs then return to Sydney to host the Chiefs.
"A huge test, the next two weeks, against different Kiwi outfits," Hooper said.
"So it's an exciting challenge, but the momentum's great at the moment."
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