'Tahs sweat on Beale at 11th hour

 

Midway through the last training session, Beale required some treatment on his shoulder – an area that has been plauging him of recent.

 

However, coach Michael Cheika was clearly not too concerned, making no changes to his team or bench.

 

Cheika has opted for a six-two split, with scrumhalf Brendan McKibbin and wing Peter Betham his only backline reserves.

 

Had he considered Beale in any doubt, Cheika would probably have included midfield option Jono Lance – the only player in the Waratahs squad with a Super Rugby title under his belt – on the bench.

 

Scans this week cleared Beale of any serious damage in his shoulder, which bodes well for the Waratahs fans who will be looking forward to the classy back running the show.

 

Dismissing Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder's claim they were giving up their home-ground advantage by hosting the final at ANZ Stadium, the Waratahs were comfortable enough to not even venture to Olympic Park for their captain's run on Friday.

 

"We've had captain's runs here all year so there's nothing new there," skipper Michael Hooper told the Australian Associated Press.

 

The Waratahs have won seven from seven at their Allianz Stadium fortress in 2014, but are also unbeaten at Homebush and Hooper has no problems heading west for the showpiece final.

 

With more than 50,000 tickets already sold, the match is guaranteed to be the biggest crowd for a Waratahs home game in more than 100 years.

 

"We've already got more fans [coming] than we could have here. It would be over capacity here," Hooper said.

 

"So more people getting to experience the game, experience this unique experience – the fact we've never had a final here – it's fantastic.

"We've won two out of two there, and two tough games in the Reds and the Brumbies.

 

"We've done really well here, but we've also done really well out at ANZ.

 

"It's great that there's a Bledisloe in two weeks. It's back out there, so for fans of rugby it's fantastic, especially New South Wales."