Rebels skipper Stirling Mortlock has until Wednesday to prove his injured calf is up to taking on the NSW Waratahs in Melbourne’s Super Rugby season opener.
The first-round bye has given the former Test centre extra time to recover from his troublesome injury but Rebels coach Damien Hill conceded on Friday that Mortlock was no certainty to play at AAMI Park next Friday night.
In better news, star signing Wallabies fullback Kurtley Beale, who missed their final trial with a hamstring injury, is on track to play.
“Kurtley ran well this morning so so far things are going to plan,” Hill said.
“Stirling’s calf injury is dragging on a little bit so we’ll wait and see how that pulls up – he’s probably 50/50 at this stage.”
While Mortlock injured his calf just before their opening trial at the start of the month, starting hooker Ged Robinson is also in doubt with a calf injury which forced him off the field early in their loss to the Crusaders last weekend.
Hill said he wanted to have the line-up settled at least by Wednesday.
Beale has had hamstring issues since last year’s World Cup and the coach said it was a fine balance between pushing his fitness and his recovery.
The 23-year-old Beale has spoken of his desire to take on his old team, the Waratahs, but Hill said that wouldn’t come into consideration.
“It’s more important that the injury’s right,” said Hill.
“We’d be silly to rush him and to put him at risk of further or worse injury.
“He’s had a history of these injuries before but I’ve got full faith in our medical guys.
“We won’t rush him if that’s the decision we have to make but so far everything’s looking good.”
The entire Rebels squad intended to get together to watch NSW host the Super Rugby champions Queensland on Saturday night.
Hill said he expected the Reds to again be “great”.
“They look strong again; (coach) Ewen (McKenzie) did a great job last year and will do another very good job this year so they’ll be thereabouts.
“They’ll be bringing with confidence at the moment so they should be ranked No.1 in Australia.”