The need to reclaim the Bledisloe Cup from New Zealand after 11 straight series losses has kiboshed any simmering tensions between the Brumbies and NSW Waratahs players, says Wallabies flyhalf Bernard Foley.
The All Blacks are on the cusp of equalling a record 12 straight series wins over their trans-Tasman rivals, with the Bledisloe Cup opener kicking off in Sydney on August 16.
It will come just two weeks after the NSW Waratahs broke through for a maiden Super Rugby title win over the Crusaders, and just three weeks after the Tahs knocked out their bitter rivals the ACT Brumbies in the semi-final.
With 11 Waratahs players joining the Wallabies camp in Bathurst on Wednesday evening after half a week of celebrations, it was the first time have come face to face with the 11 Brumbies players they sent crashing out of the Super Rugby finals.
The squad wasted no time addressing the grudge match, with Foley admitting they had spoken about the game to help put it behind them.
“They put up such a good fight and performed so well at the back end of Super Rugby,” he said on Thursday.
“That’s only good for this squad, that we have that competitive edge when we play each other.
“But when we come together we can gel, put it behind us and have a bit of a laugh about it and move on to the task ahead, which is the All Blacks.”
Foley said no domestic rivalry was bigger than the All Blacks.
“It doesn’t get any bigger, so that’s the exciting thing,” Foley said.
“There’s a place for the (rivalry between) the Waratahs, the Reds and the Brumbies, but once you get into camp we’ve got a goal to reclaim the Bledisloe Cup.
“And the first step is beating the All Blacks in Sydney in 10 days’ time and that’s what we’re looking at.”
Foley also played down suggestions the Waratahs should have more players in the backline after their title victory.
Brumbies comeback king Pat McCabe was seen training on the wing vacated by Nick “Honey Badger” Cummins on Thursday, in an otherwise unchanged backline to the one that clean swept France.
That means Foley looms as the only Waratah to play in the inside backs for the Wallabies, with centre Adam Ashley-Cooper pushed out to the wing, and Israel Folau at fullback.
Foley wouldn’t confirm any backline plans, only saying he was ready to play alongside whoever got the nod.
“It’s been good to play with Nic White and Matt Toomua during the French series. We understood each other’s game quite well,” Foley said.
“If it’s those guys, I’ve already played there a couple of games, then if it’s the Waratahs blokes then I’m pretty familiar with them as well.”
Bazza Allblack Supporter
Roar Rookie
I am picking slow start from AB's then a come from behind soul destroying last 20 mins from the Darkness :)
Starchild
Guest
They probably don't like each other and I'm not surprised. My old Australian parrot, Jerry didn't like other Australian birds, he seemed ok with the NZ birds (They are a bit more warm in their personality) but he couldn't handle the cold temperature of NZ.
ben
Guest
That pic was taken whilst the crusaders were on tour earlier this year...not after the final.
krasnoff of noosa
Guest
I just want to say one thing: Wallabies, don’t be disrespectful of the ABs, but at the same time forget all this bullshit about ‘respecting’ them—that’s one step from fawning over them. And that is something you MUSTN’T do! Super 15 has shown you just how close you are in terms of skills and ability. The Wallabies’ mindset must be to beat the shit out of the ABs, and that’s it, forget statistics and records. Just go out there and beat the shit out of them!
Highlander
Guest
Anyone heard about how ticket sales are going for B1?- bought mine this morning, pretty good seats for only a week out
Antennae
Guest
There's plenty of cockaroaches here in Sydney that they can help themselves to.
Darwin Stubbie
Guest
Like the non native possum - the introduced Zebra are deemed a pest in NZ
Chuck
Guest
You did say if !,,
44bottles
Roar Guru
In other news, 3 Pandas have disappeared from Australia Zoo under uncertain circumstances. We'll keep you posted.
JTG
Guest
As professional rugby player's /athletes they would be all about being competitive so naturally there would be rivalry amongst them when playing each other & of course vying for spots in the wallaby squad would produce rivalry as well. Having just seen a photo of a few of the crusaders players showing off their hunting skills by killing a deadly Zebra after frustrating loss to the waratahs I am now really worried about what they might hunt if the wallabies beat them, maybe we should ban them from Australia Zoo!!!
Sportym
Guest
I'm so glad Foley can put the rivalry behind him... Though its something they have managed to do every year since 1996, and not just the OZ teams, but also the SA and NZ teams. Once the SR season ends, so do interstate rivalries for these players. Surprised this made it as news.