Waratahs playmaker Bernard Foley will miss a fourth consecutive match due to concussion

BERNARD Foley will miss the Waratahs grudge match against the Brumbies as his ongoing concussion issue continues to plague the playmaker and NSW.

BERNARD Foley’s late withdrawal from the crucial fourth round match against the Brumbies ensures that the Waratahs backline will again be targeted by stern defence.

With the unfamiliar combination of five-eighth Bryce Hegarty, inside centre Irae Simone and outside centre Israel Folau, NSW’s midfield cohesion was found wanting during their South African tour and turnovers in that channel led to runaway opposition tries.

Without Wallabies general Foley again this week, the pressure falls on Hegarty to combine effectively with his centres as the inevitable rushing defence of the Brumbies swarm them in wet conditions at Allianz Stadium.

Bernard Foley will miss his fourth consecutive match with concussion symptoms. Picture: Mark Evans

Foley trained with the starting side all week but on Friday afternoon was pulled from the inaugural Dan Vickerman Trophy match after lingering concussion symptoms persisted.

The playmaker has not appeared in Super Rugby so far this year, having sustained a head knock in the final trial match against the Highlanders one month ago.

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“Bernard isn’t quite 100 per cent and still experiencing some symptoms,” Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson said. “It’s frustrating for Bernard being so very close – he more than anyone wants to be back out on the field.

“But we won’t want to push him so we’ll give him more time and ensure we take all the necessary precautions to get him back to 100 per cent.”

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Foley had expected to play in the round two match against the Lions in Johannesburg, but after experiencing headaches and blurred vision he flew back to Australia to see a neurologist.

The 27-year-old reported being symptom-free after training runs on Tuesday and Thursday this week, but after running with the starting XV at Friday’s captain’s run he apparently experienced more worrying signs.

Teammate Nick Phipps said while Foley’s extended absence is a blow to the Waratahs - who sit fourth in the Australian conference - the player’s health was paramount.

“The most important thing is that the players have been behind him the whole time, obviously we want him back on the field but we want to make sure he’s completely right before he comes back,” Phipps said.

“It’s something that probably six years ago no one paid much attention to. I remember playing a lot of games and seeing blokes get concussed and probably back on in 10 minutes having a run around again.

Michael Hooper, right, with the Dan Vickerman Trophy.

“Rules are obviously changing for the better and it’s good to see a lot of players are being protected.

“Especially seeing the stuff over in the US, it’s cut through over there, it’s good that Australia and SANZAAR are leading the way in that area.

NSW’s attack coach Chris Malone said emphasis this week was placed on his side being clinical and composed, unlike in South Africa where they conceded 92 points, most from turnover possession.

“The reality was that we probably contributed to us conceding more points than what the opposition put on us last week,” Malone said.

“So we need to ensure we get the parts of our game right that have been letting us down.

“That’s been our concentration.”

WARATAHS v BRUMBIES

Saturday, 7.40pm

Allianz Stadium

WARATAHS: 15. Andrew Kellaway 14. Reece Robinson 13. Israel Folau 12. Irae Simone 11. Rob Horne 10. Bryce Hegarty 9. Nick Phipps 8. Jed Holloway 7. Michael Hooper (captain) 6. Jack Dempsey 5. Will Skelton 4. Dean Mumm 3. Sekope Kepu 2. Tolu Latu 1. Tom Robertson.

Reserves: 16. Hugh Roach 17. Paddy Ryan 18. David Lolohea 19. David McDuling 20. Ned Hannigan 21. Michael Wells 22. Jake Gordon 23. David Horwitz.

BRUMBIES: 15. Aidan Toua 14. Henry Speight 13. Tevita Kuridrani 12. Kyle Godwin 11. Nigel Ah Wong 10. Wharenui Hawera 9. Joe Powell 8. Jordan Smiler 7. Lolo Fakaosilea 6. Scott Fardy 5. Sam Carter (captain) 4. Rory Arnold 3. Allan Alaalatoa 2. Josh Mann-Rea 1. Ben Alexander.

Reserves: 16. Robbie Abel 17. Nic Mayhew 18. Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin 19. Blake Enever 20. Ben Hyne 21. De Wet Roos 22. Jordan Jackson-Hope 23. Andrew Smith.