The Melbourne Rebels captain Stirling Mortlock is out of their Super Rugby season opener against New South Wales on Friday night but Wallabies fullback Kurtley Beale is tipped to play.
Mortlock's failed to recover from a calf injury suffered a month ago while Beale's recovered from a hamstring strain.
Melbourne, had a bye in the opening round and also go into the match without first-choice hooker and former Hurricane Ged Robinson, who also has a calf injury.
