Kurtley Beale is the latest Wallaby to fall foul of injury after he fractured his hand at the weekend.
The star utility back, who is currently his country’s first-choice fly-half, will have surgery on Tuesday after suffering the setback in Super Rugby action on Friday night.
Beale fractured the third metacarpal in his left hand in the Rebels’ 31-26 defeat to the Waratahs in Sydney and now faces three-four weeks on the sidelines.
The 24-year-old was due to go head-to-head with close friend and fellow Wallaby fly-half Quade Cooper when the Rebels host the Reds this coming Friday and he admits it’s a big blow to miss out on that personal battle.
But while he is ‘gutted’ to be laid low, Beale insists the time out may be a blessing in disguise.
Beale also requires surgery on a shoulder problem he initially picked up in November but the lure of the Lions means he's keen to put off that operation until later in the year. Time off with his damaged hand at least means he can concentrate on ensuring his shoulder is as good as possible by the time Britain and Ireland’s elite come calling.
''I would have loved to have had the chance to play against Quade'' said Beale.
''Obviously that Wallaby No10 jersey is up for grabs so I've got to try to come back healthy and hopefully hold my ground.
''I will try and focus on getting the shoulder right and get that back to full strength.
''I need to do a lot of strengthening work around the rotator cuff, so hopefully the time out will give me the opportunity.
''Hopefully, when I do come back I’ll hit the ground fit and ready.''
