Wallabies five eighth Bernard Foley has been ruled out of the NSW Waratahs’ Super Rugby showdown with defending champions the Highlanders on Friday night.

Foley had been rated a 50-50 prospect to return from the shoulder injury that has prevented him from playing this season, but assistant coach Nathan Grey said on Tuesday he was still not quite ready.

Foley suffered the injury in a pre-season trial against the Highlanders last month after his return from a stint in Japanese club rugby.