Bernard Foley to start at flyhalf for Waratahs against Benji Marshall and Blues

BERNARD Foley will line-up against Benji Marshall at flyhalf when the Waratahs host the Blues on Friday night.

WARATAHS playmaker Bernard Foley will line-up against Benji Marshall at five-eighth in Friday night's Super Rugby trial against the Auckland Blues at Allianz Stadium.

Bernard Foley during a Waratahs training session. Picture: Mark Evans

Foley has won the nod ahead of Kurtley Beale, who will start at fullback for NSW, with superstar Israel Folau getting his 2014 season underway from the bench.

The race for the No. 10 jersey is hotly contested, with Beale starting last week's first-up trial against Melbourne in Albury.

However, coach Michael Cheika is showing he's willing to test out all options, with Foley handed the task of going-head-to-head with rugby league convert Marshall.

Along with Folau, the Waratahs will also start fellow Wallabies stars Michael Hooper and Adam Ashley-Cooper off the bench and play the final 40 minutes.

Dave Dennis will captain the side, which features Jono Lance at inside centre and Wycliff Palu at No.8.

Waratahs run-on team: Kurtley Beale, Matthew Carraro, Rob Horne, Jono Lance, Peter Betham, Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps, Wycliff Palu, Pat McCutcheon, Dave Dennis (capt), Will Skelton, Kane Douglas, Paddy Ryan, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson. Reserves include: Israel Folau, Michael Hooper, Adam Ashley-Cooper