Foley looks abroad to fill Waratahs void
By David Beniuk, 22 Aug 2008
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- Dan Vickerman, David Lyons, Ewen McKenzie, Michael Foley, robbie deans, Rocky Elsom, Rugby Union, Super Rugby, wallabies, Waratahs
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New Waratahs set-piece coach Michael Foley says NSW may need to look overseas to fill the void left by departing forwards Dan Vickerman, Rocky Elsom and David Lyons.
The current Wallabies assistant will link with NSW in January to work under new head coach Chris Hickey.
And Foley believes the Waratahs may need to make use of a new rule which will allow Australia’s Super 14 sides to sign foreign players.
“Losing Vickerman, Elsom and Lyons is a really, really big hole in that Waratah forward pack, let alone the Waratah team,” Foley told reporters at the Wallabies’ Cape Town base today.
“That’s something that really we need to focus on and it’s an opportunity for other guys to step up, so that’s a challenge.
“The Waratahs do need to replace those guys and there’s a fine line there, you’ll have some good young talent and it’s whether or not they’re ready.
“The relaxation of being able to look at some other players (overseas) certainly gives you that option of bringing in maybe some seniority which ushers through the junior guys.”
Foley joins the Waratahs after a tumultuous 2008 during which the team made the Super 14 final despite the early announcement that coach Ewen McKenzie’s five-year reign would end.
A period of uncertainty followed as Hickey was lined up as McKenzie’s replacement.
But Foley said the ups and downs would have built character among the players.
“What I saw from slightly arm’s length – but I did spend a bit of time with the Tahs this year – was a pretty good values system if you like within the team,” he said.
“They really did cling together in very difficult times.”
He said that environment would help him with bringing young forwards through to replace Europe-bound Vickerman, Elsom and Lyons.
“There’s no substituing that experience but at the same time I think what you will have is younger guys stepping into a group that has a history of the right sort of mentality going into seasons and that’s going to be helpful,” Foley said.
Foley, who said he had initially discussed the job with McKenzie, said time with his family of four children was the prime motivator for taking the job, which will involve a move from Brisbane to the Central Coast.
In the meantime, he still has unfinished business with the Wallabies.
“I don’t think you ever leave a job feeling like it’s all done. You’re always looking at what’s next and how to improve,” he said.
“I was offered the job initially for two years to the World Cup and I said, ‘look, what I’m seeing it’s going to take three years for discernible change’.
“On finishing the job my attitude is from now to the end of the year there’s still a lot of improvement to be sought and gained but you walk away saying what I’ve promised I’ve hopefully delivered.”
Wallabies head coach Robbie Deans said this week that Foley could have an ongoing role with the national side up until the expiry of his contract next March, something the former Australian hooker did not rule out.
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August 26th 2008 @ 11:46am
gavin said | August 26th 2008 @ 11:46am | Report comment
quote ” The ARU has good intentions ” No it isn’t
As for Foley, who is allowing this to happen. How do we find our future wallabies is the State postions are held by foreigners ?
August 26th 2008 @ 11:50am
Peter K said | August 26th 2008 @ 11:50am | Report comment
gavin – easy. Vickerman and Rathbone were junior Boks, played in the u21′s world cup teams, but not for the senior team. Hence once resident in australia eligible to play for the Wallabies.
August 26th 2008 @ 11:57am
gavin said | August 26th 2008 @ 11:57am | Report comment
but it’s still a cop out. We should be looking for born & bred auss ies for this. Not giving citizenships on rugby ability. While we are at it, get the Franks boys back from NZ and other Aussies playing senior NZ rugby
I like the idea of South African coming here, but really, this is going too far. Nex….t Argentinian props. Sorry, this is not for me
August 26th 2008 @ 12:17pm
Peter K said | August 26th 2008 @ 12:17pm | Report comment
Gavin that is pretty small minded and even racist.
Australia was built on immigration. Or should people born in australia have special rights and privileges over australian citizens born elswehere who immigrated?
If people from overseas want to migrate here and have skills we need then they should be able to, rugby is no exception.
Or are you against immigration?
August 26th 2008 @ 12:27pm
gavin said | August 26th 2008 @ 12:27pm | Report comment
Peter
How can it be racist. We have immigration riles in this nation, and they shouldn’ be abused for anyone, including sports starts, on the basis ther are better overseas, allegedly
I did not mention those born overseas who become Oz citizens, I mentioned bringing foreigners into the county take the place of those born and bred here. Where is the racism in that ?
This country was not built on immigration, the multicult or anything like that at all.
I am against immigration as we know it, die to the extent of it, and the State enforced multicult too. I am entitled to be against it, do you hear!!!!
Don’t play the race card with me Peter, it won’t work. Not with me. Consider yourself warned. I will win that argument any time. That argument is for another forum, not here
No don’t be a coward and hide behind the race card. I’m not frightened of it and I won’t let you do it!
August 26th 2008 @ 12:33pm
gavin said | August 26th 2008 @ 12:33pm | Report comment
I will stop short of accusing you of deliberately misinterpreting my post
August 26th 2008 @ 12:40pm
Peter K said | August 26th 2008 @ 12:40pm | Report comment
gavin – Yes we do have immigration rules. Those rules provide points for needed skills, especially when sponsored by an employer who cannot get the equivalent in australia. Rugby players should be treated the same, and are, they comply to these rules.
So if they are good enough then no problem.
The issue is we do not have depth in rugby here , in particular certain positions like prop, so they are not taking the place of someone born and bred here. They need to be of a minimum quality and level and we do not have them at club level.
How am I being a coward? I thought it was brave to bring the issue up, and with the strident emotional defense and as you state you are against immigration and multiculturism and thus the basis of your issue against brining players in.
I am happy to leave that debate elsewhere since it cannot be productive or rational.
August 26th 2008 @ 12:43pm
Peter K said | August 26th 2008 @ 12:43pm | Report comment
Gavin – BTW I respect your right to be against immigration and multicultism, I have issues myself with some aspects due to culture clashes but this is not the forum. Personally though I am not against immigration per sae though.
That is a democracy for you.
August 26th 2008 @ 12:44pm
gavin said | August 26th 2008 @ 12:44pm | Report comment
thank you Peter, yes, this subject matter is not to be broached here. No irrationality on my part, I will wade gleefully into the attack on this subject, with the appropriate facts and figures, but not here, this is a rugby forum
August 26th 2008 @ 12:48pm
Peter K said | August 26th 2008 @ 12:48pm | Report comment
Gavin – Then I request that you provide more in argument against brining in players from overseas other than they are not born and bred here. Thats fair don’t you think, since the only basis of argument is your view on immigration and we have agreed not to debate that here