Foley confident over fitness

The Australian internationals both failed to train with the squad on Monday following Saturday's bruising trial game against Tonga.

However Foley claims Barnes and Ashley-Cooper were rested from the session at the Sydney Football Ground as a precaution.

"Everyone will be right," Foley said. "There was a couple of niggles and those guys did rehab today in favour of being 100 per cent fit for the weekend.

"The concerns that everybody knows about are still there, obviously. Lachie Turner (hamstring) won't play and he's going to be out for the season and Drew Mitchell (ankle) is going to be in a boot for another couple weeks until he begins his rehab running.

Success

"So with the exception of Lachie, pretty much we're where we thought we could end up being - everybody else is fit and ready to go.

"We're hoping that everybody will train tomorrow."

Although the 'Tahs will be finalising their own game plan this week, Foley knows that the clash of the nines - new recruit Sarel Pretorius and Queensland's Will Genia - will be key.

"I think the battle amongst the forwards in any game, but particularly in this game with two such talented nines is going to be critical," he said.

"There's just no doubt about that. The work and execution of the forwards will set the back up and that's the way the game is played.

"Both nines are very good players. Both nines are going to be a factor in the game and how big a factor will be largely dependent on the success of their forwards."