Far from daunted, NSW Waratahs five-eighth Bernard Foley is hoping for a baptism of fire with a Wallabies debut against the world champion All Blacks next month.
Foley readily admits he’s behind Queensland Reds playmaker Quade Cooper in new Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie’s five-eighth pecking order but, after leapfrogging the incumbent No.10, the 23-year-old is aiming high.
“It would be a dream to, one, play for the Wallabies. But to play against the All Blacks in Sydney, your home town, would be something really special,” Foley said on Monday.
“It’s an opportunity you wouldn’t want to miss or not be ready for.
“So everything now leading up to that Test, I’ll be doing everything I can to be prepared so, if it does fall my way, I’ll be ready for the job.”
With McKenzie considering James O’Connor as a fullback or winger after his unsuccessful three-Test stint at five-eighth in Australia’s series loss to the British and Irish Lions, Foley is in a three-way battle with Cooper and the Brumbies’ Matt Toomua for the No.10 jumper for the Wallabies’ Rugby Championship opener on August 17.
Cooper is favoured to get first crack, but that’s not deterring Foley, who impressed playing all 16 Super Rugby games at No.10 for the Waratahs after making the transition from fullback to chief playmaker.
“It’s great to be a part of the initial 40-man squad. It’s good recognition and now everyone who’s in that squad has the opportunity to pull on a Wallaby jersey. I’m not any different,” Foley said.
“It’s going to be great competition between us and that’s healthy for Australian rugby and heading into this Rugby Championship.
“It’s exciting times.”
Foley, a former Australian sevens star, will leave on Tuesday for the Waratahs’ two-match tour of Argentina and will use Saturday’s clash with the Pumas in Buenos Aires to boost his Wallabies claims.
“We’re playing an international team in the Pumas and it’s most probably going to be their full-strength side because it’s preparation for them leading into the Rugby Championship,” he said.
“So it’s a great test for me, another one, and if I can perform well, it will give me a lot of confidence and put me in good stead leading into the Wallabies camp next Tuesday.”
Terry Kidd
Guest
I can't see Foley getting a crack but I would like to see it. He is involved in more turnovers than Toomua because he takes the ball to the line more however you don't get the brain explosions that you get with QC. Realistically I think QC and Toomua will get first crack but if neither performs I would be happy to give Foley a chance.
Ruckin' Oaf
Guest
So if the key playmaker was involved in making the tackle instead how would that help them counter from a turnover ?
ScrumJunkie
Guest
He didn't choose a single 10. This squad is vastly different.
Kebab
Guest
Hope the RC is the last of QC off to France or Japan. Nz must be in hysterics as he cracks morethan humpy dumpty. Toomua surely deserves the spot
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Im sorry Benn but Toomua is on both lists well above Cooper. He is 3rd equal on linebreak assists and 4th on try assists. The list that he isnt top 20 on is turnovers. Cooper and Foley are both in the top 20 on that list.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Deans would have selected a squad with about 37 of the same players out of 40. I dout Harris and Sautia would have made Deans squad but Horne and Barnes probably would have.
baldy @ Manly
Guest
COMRADE BEAR - I would like to see SIO and ALEXANDER, HORWILL, MMM with KREMLIN, MOWEN and HOOPER in the back row. Some might not be aware but HOOPER when he runs on against the AB's will not have had a game of contact Rugby for 4 weeks.
BBA
Guest
Highly unlikely that the AB's would run at Cooper all day. He is pretty hard to find in the defensive line. I think a lot of the problem is Cooper and Genia playing at the back so much for the Reds, is that the Reds are unable to maximise their counter attacking plays from turnovers as the key play makers are out of position.
Fin
Guest
He's been placed in an induced coma until after Link announces the RC squad, just in case.
Comrade Bear
Roar Rookie
It is good to see that the three 10s are in the squad and battling for a spot. I'm more interested in the selections for the forwards however - what the backrow will be with Palu out injured. I'd say Mowen has done enough to retain his spot. Not sure Shatz is up to international standard. Who will Horwill's locking partner be? MMM can't be too far off. Bench for him? Who will be either side of Moore?
jeznez
Roar Guru
Did Bunyip just have an aneurysm?
spell right
Guest
Quade Cooper is the smartest, most tactical, reliable defensive number 10 in the Wallaby camp. You can rely on him to ..a) do a no look pass to the floor at least once a game b) kick it out on the full ..c) look totally confused in defence. Link - please pick him to start.
ScrumJunkie
Guest
Don't think Toomua is overrated, the exact opposite. What is awesome is we have three talented flyhalves, with three different styles. Long time since Australia had this depth at 10. More fool the last bloke for not seeing it.
Rugby Reg
Roar Rookie
great to see foley getting a chance mt as well, happy times ahead for the wallabies
Justin3
Guest
I'm with you Benn, I think Toomua is a good player. I believe though that he is over rated by many.
Anthony Hird
Roar Guru
Great to see Foley finally gets a crack. He is an old school flyhalf, constantly looping to create an over lap and support the ball runner. Glad he stayed with the Tahs. With three 10's, QC will feel the pressure. Hopefully cracking in training and not on the test arena. McKenzie is going to have to scrutinize QC's game. No more 1% plays, consistent, bring back the confidence and hopefully we migght see some glamour.
Brain Explosion
Guest
The All Blacks will hope they face Quade 'Brain Explosion Cooper. They will run at him all day.
bennalong
Guest
The Stats say Foley is the form !0 Clem. Number one in 'Most linebreak assists' and number one in 'Most try assists' Toomua doesn't appear in the top twenty in either He's a good player but he doesn't play first receiver all that much for a 10. Nic White bypasses him
Clem
Guest
If he doesn't pick Toomua the form 10 From the form Team first and give him a chance then we have a problem. He deserves first crack.
ScrumJunkie
Guest
Agree. Cooper will get first shot, and with 38 caps, so he should. Nice that personal issues are no longer the guiding force behind selections. If Deans had chosen anyone of these three he might still be coach. If Cooper proves not to be the best out of the three over the next year or so, I have complete faith in Link to drop him. Like Link says, his method is to know the top 3 in a given position, and that can change week to week.