Despite the presence of Wallabies superstars Israel Folau and Kurtley Beale, Bernard Foley and Nick Phipps are fast becoming the Waratahs’ main men as the countdown begins to the Super Rugby finals.
The unsung halves pairing look key to NSW’s title hopes after coach Michael Foley lauded their coming-of-age showings in Saturday night’s season-saving comeback win over the Hurricanes.
With the Waratahs down 24-7 midway through the first half and facing the grim prospect of plummeting out of the top six with a points-less bye to come this weekend, Phipps and Foley turned the match around.
The pair orchestrated four tries to put the Waratahs back on track in fourth place with a 39-30 bonus-point win.
Cheika says Foley (24) and Phipps (25) have finally taken ownership of the Waratahs’ star-studded line-up.
“Foley and Phipps are still very young by age but they also maybe haven’t been handed the idea that they’re looking after the team for everyone else as well,” he said.
“I think both of the lads took a step up in maturity around not just looking after their own game, but looking after the other lads as well in relation to the way they set up the team.”
Cheika was also full of praise for Beale.
But with Phipps controlling proceedings from scrum-half and fly-half Foley directing and contributing 19 points from a try, four conversions and two penalties, the Waratahs remain on course for an all-important top-two finish to the regular season.
“We’ve got an ambition which we set out from the start – a goal – and we’re still a chance to achieve that goal with six games to go,” Cheika said.
Foley said there was no need to panic even when the Waratahs trailed by 17 points.
“Because it was so early on and they scored back-to-back tries, we just had to stick to our structures,” he said.
“We knew if we could just play our game consistently, just chipping away, that we could get back in the game.”
Foley admitted squaring off against a potential All Blacks halves pairing in Beauden Barrett and TJ Perenara provided added motivation.
“Every week you want to come out and outplay your opposite and their nine and 10 are quality players,” he said.
“And the Hurricanes have been the form side over the last four or five weeks, winning four in a row.
“For us to come out and show our intent and capitalise on what the forwards were able to do was pleasing.”
After the bye, the Waratahs host the 12th-placed Lions and then play the 11th-placed Rebels in Melbourne.
“We’ve got a three-game stint where we can really set up our season,” Foley said.
Marlins Tragic
Guest
BM is a better goal kickers as well!
mikeylives
Guest
Agree. Foley has brilliant vision and instinctive attack. He is also quick off the mark. I do concede his kicking from hand (and tee) are currently below average. On balance though - he is great for the Tahs. Phipps is not great, but did have a dominant game on the weekend. He needs to be quicker to ruck phases or the Tah forwards need to have a better understanding of when he can't be there and stick their foot out behind the ball in the ruck, get Hoops to dish it out or rumble it up close. Bunyip's Foley-chip is well documented. Either jealous of him or was victimised by him at some point?? Whatever the reason, the majority of the time it is irrational bs.
Tricky
Guest
I agree with the appraisal of Foley as a talented 10. For a man with a fairly unassuming physique and a modest top speed, he frequently breaks the line and challenges the defence. I am not sure that I am convinced that he has a poor pass as some of the comments have suggested, and would attribute any floaters to the very poor delivery he gets from Phipps. I strongly disagree with the article in its treatment of Phipps, who is described as the unsung hero who has taken ownership of the star studded backline. The only unsung element of Phipps' is how poorly he plays the role of a half back and how instrumental his poor passing has been in nullifying the incredibly talented backline at the Waratahs. Phipps' greatest responsibility as a 9 is to provide clean, swift service for his flyhalf. Phipps fails in this endeavour. By trotting casually to a ruck, slowing the ball down for the opposition to reset their defence, and too often choosing the wrong player Phipps makes things difficult for both Foley and Beale. Beale was openly furious at his half back for doing just this during the Blues match. It is not uncommon for Phipps to pick the ball up before he knows where he is passing. He exhibits an amazing lack of awareness of fellow backs for a half back. These are not the qualities of a good 9 and I implore you all to scrutinise his game with these criticisms in mind. Phipps is not on the field to make breaks, clear rucks or put on big hits. Not that he does any of these things particularly well. He is there to give quick ball in order to light up the backline. How can this journalist heap praise on a half back who is fails to perform behind a decent pack and alongside the best backline in paper in super rugby? Surely part of the Tahs disappointing performances this season is attributable to Phipps. McKibbon is not the answer either. But two wrongs don't make a right. Get rid of Phipps and watch the Tahs win matches.
Ajax
Guest
I thought Foley was a dark horse for the Lions given QC wasnt going to be picked. For me.. he looks like the quintesential Kiwi flyhalf.. nothing flashy.. just does the basics well.. if he can continue do that then he has to be a chance for the Wallabies. However, he does fluff the odd pass etc, this is often a sign of fatigue.. so maybe he needs to be doing some more endurance miles in the off season, get his cardio base right up there. But he really is close to being a very good player. Even a Reds fan like me hopes he goes well for the sake of the national side.
Fin
Guest
Not to mention he'll be a lot better under Link. He and Toomua showed enough last spring to get first crack at 10 & 12.
Mango Jack
Guest
You're right Rob, and fortunately Cheika et al are smarter than most roar bloggers.
Mango Jack
Guest
Foley will be in wallabies calculations. Not to say he will def make the squad but he will be considered and may make the bench. He's an incumbent squad member and Merthens was pushing his barrow today.
Paul
Guest
Perhaps if there was something more noteworthy to say about the Reds aside from they suck you might see something more to you liking. That or you could make your own contribution as opposed to attack the only good news that came out of the weekend for Australian Super Rugby. Honestly, what did you expect on Monday?
RobC
Roar Guru
RobC
Roar Guru
Once again, propping up the backs. Quite literally. The forwards won the game. That is why Hooper was man of the match. Skelton a close second. Then one or two others, before looking at the backs. The sooner the focus and recognition goes to the pigs, the better for the game.
Magic Sponge
Guest
Yeah lets talk about the reds that will be fun. Brumbies played ok and still gave 100%, did not see rebels game.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Please, no need to apologise bennalong, no worries at all! Like you am a Tahs fan and I just think Phipps/Foley aren't our forte although I agree they had a good game on Sat and I hope we will see more games like this from them. I would think Hooper, Potgieter, Skelton, KB, Izzy (usually), AAC and a few others would be imo 'our main men' before Phipps and Foley. But again, its just my opinion and I have nothing against ppl having another one. Re my moniker, my name being Nicolas and being called nico all my life I thought nico, nicoconut, nicoldschool when prompted to pick a name and decided this one was ok (nicoconut would be ambiguous ;) But its wasn't a political statement nor tongue in cheek, I think we can all be 'old school' at times whether we are 20yo or 60 (am right in the middle). Again all good bennalong. will still very much enjoy exchanging with you :)
Clark
Guest
Phipps has to be one of the slowest passing halfbacks in the competition.
bennalong
Guest
I'd still have Cooper and Genia and with both Cooper and Toomua, Whites prodigious boot is not needed I think he's erratic and I think Link will still want Quade. A playing pair is preferable. He'll want to see his boys back behind a pack going foreward
Debco
Guest
Rocco, you hit the nail right on the head. Perfect description of Phipps.
bennalong
Guest
I apologise for misunderstanding Nick, though I still would argue that you're guilty of ridiculous overstatement, and the performance last Saturday IMO was inexplicable if you were correct. If you agree you're not "old school" and the name is tongue-in-cheek, then revel in your rebellious youth and ignore me! I am old, and I like balanced discussion rather than over-the-top bagging. I don't expect any help from the editors and I'd say this is more irony from you!
Cadfael
Roar Guru
No, I'd still have Cooper. His team is not performing and at 10, it is very hard to do well when the rest of the team isn't. Maybe the Honey Badger for Betham he has been out for a while now.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
We're a hardy mob. We have to be.
JB
Guest
i prefer McKibbin, I think foley does too, better service and he is a better decision maker, Phipps had one of his better games foley has not improved on last year where he was exceptional at 5/8 in his first year there. This guy is still developing his game at 10 and if he continues to develop may just be the answer to a long standing 10 problem. Hard to see them holding up in a pressure cooker finals situation though. and neither are in wallabies calculations, wallabies back line for me. 9. white 10. toomua 11.tomane 12. CLL 13. AAC 14. betham 15. folau reserve backs genia and beale hard to pick cooper in this squad all the reds are doing at the moment is defending and it's not his style, Tomane is a seriously talented player we need his meters and impact without ioane around
Magic Sponge
Guest
Foley has not been as great as last year, but geez Id keep him for sure, he will get better and better , once him, Phipps and Beale get sorted.