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Right on cue, Bernard Foley has found his radar ahead of the NSW Waratahs’ Super Rugby final rematch with the Crusaders.
Foley’s seven goals from seven attempts in a record-equalling 23-point haul helped the Waratahs to a much-needed 33-18 victory over the Sharks at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.
The Wallabies five-eighth’s success rate had dropped from 78 per cent in 2014 to an erratic 64 per cent this campaign, but he will return to ANZ Stadium next Saturday not only with fond memories but also renewed confidence.
It was at Olympic Park nine months ago that Foley famously slotted a last-minute 44-metre penalty goal to clinch the Waratahs’ historic first championship with a pulsating 33-32 win over the Crusaders.
Foley iced his match-winning display against the Sharks with a late solo try to leave Waratahs coach Michael Cheika chuffed with his playmaker’s form heading into next weekend’s blockbuster.
“I was really happy with his match tonight. He was much more in the game,” Cheika said after Foley’s 23-point contribution matched Mat Rogers’ personal tally against the Sharks in 2004.
“We changed a couple of little things in our game to get him into the game more and I think he was getting the ball at the right depth and the right time and he made many more runs himself tonight.
“So he was threatening with the ball himself and he also had good distribution.”
Cheika’s jovial mood post-match was in stark contrast to when he fumed throughout an ill-tempered affair blighted by some bewildering decisions by referee Rohan Hoffman and TMO George Ayoub.
Cheika was livid after Hoffman penalised prop Benn Robinson for allegedly entering a ruck from the side as the Waratahs pressed the Sharks line just before halftime.
The incident sparked a melee and Waratahs hooker Tolu Latu was fortunate to escape with a warning for striking Sharks prop Lwazi Mvovo in the head as tempers flared.
There were more fracas and fisticuffs in the second half before the Waratahs regained their cool to collect the priceless four competition points and climb back into the top six with four rounds remaining before the finals.
“We’re just staying in there somehow. I’m not quite sure how,” Cheika said, admitting the end scoreline flattered his side.
The defending champions certainly enjoyed the rub of the green with the match officials.
After several video replay reviews, Ayoub awarded Waratahs winger Taqele Naiyaravoro a try in the 53rd minute and then denied his Sharks opposite S’Bura Sithole one 20 minutes later that appeared more worthy.
Despite feeling the 50-50 calls went against his side, Sharks coach Gary Gold refused to blame the match officials for the South Africans’ sixth straight defeat.
“That’s the way the game goes,” Gold said.
“We’re a proud union and we’re in uncharted territory. We haven’t been this low on the log before.
“We just have to stay in the fight.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.