Rugby: Palu ruled out of opener

Wycliff Palu. Photo / Getty Images

NSW Waratahs strike weapon Wycliff Palu has been ruled out of Friday's Super Rugby opener against the Melbourne Rebels.

Palu is battling a hamstring injury and NSW coach Chris Hickey said on Wednesday the powerful Wallabies No 8 could be sidelined for a couple more weeks.

Palu missed almost all of last season with knee ligament damage and must now shake the hamstring injury on his other leg picked up in a trial match before he can return to action.

A bulked-up Ben Mowen will wear the No.8 jersey against the Rebels and Hickey confirmed Palu won't be rushed back.

"It's hard to say with hamstrings, it'll probably be a couple of weeks I think,'' he said.

"With a long season ahead of us, he's an important player for us so we've got to make sure he's 100 per cent when he comes back and it doesn't become a chronic injury he's trying to deal with for the rest of the season.''

In better news for the Waratahs, centre Rob Horne and prop Benn Robinson were expected to face the Rebels, provided they got through Wednesday's training and Thursday's captain's run unscathed.

However, without any trial form, it's likely Horne and Robinson will be eased back off the bench or with limited game time.

- AAP