The Waratahs have re-signed Bernard Foley on what they have termed a ‘flexible’ three-year deal, which will see him play with the Waratahs until the end of 2018.
The release also confirms he will be eligible for the Wallabies and Waratahs in every year of the deal.
Foley, under the terms of the flexible deal, will be able to spend two seasons playing in the Japanese league.
It was widely expected Foley would leave Australian shores to take the money overseas, but it seems the terms of this flexible deal will give Foley the opportunity to play in Japan while remaining available for Australian selection.
The Daily Telegraph reported that Foley was lost to the 15-man game, and that he would use his stint in Japan to resume his career in rugby sevens. There was no mention of that prospect in the release.
Foley was a crucial cog in the Waratahs’ Super Rugby title win last season, and played for the Wallabies as the first-choice fly half for much of the season after an unsuccessful experiment with Kurtley Beale under former coach Ewen McKenzie.
Foley said he was happy to stay with Australian Rugby and represent his country.
“I have an incredibly strong desire to continue representing Australia and the Waratahs, and this deal allows me to do that for at least another three years,” Foley said.
“I’d like to thank Australian Rugby and the Waratahs for understanding my desire to experience a new culture and Rugby environment in Japan, while continuing to provide me an opportunity for represent my State and Country.
Wallabies and Waratahs coach Michael Cheika said flexible contracting would be applied on a case-by-case basis.
“Flexible contracting is taken into consideration for exceptional circumstances, and I am confident that he will put his own well-being at the front of his priorities and thinking.” Cheika said.
“Bernard is a playmaker who is still yet to reach his full potential and we need our best players eligible for Australia – now and in the future.
“Bernard is one of many playmakers in Australian Rugby that will be vying for a Wallabies jumper over the next period. This is the environment we will be creating – where players can challenge one another and ultimately make the Wallabies program stronger.”
ARU CEO Bill Pulver was pleased with the result of the agreement, which allowed Foley to stay in Australian rugby.
“This contract reinforces Australian Rugby’s commitment to having its best future talent remain in Australia on a long-term basis, to ensure we have an elite provincial and Test product available for our fans,” Mr Pulver said.
“We are satisfied Bernard has a genuine aspiration to continue having a long and distinguished career in Australian Rugby, but we understand his short-term aspirations to play in the Japanese Top League.
“From a player welfare perspective, we’ll continue to work closely with the Rugby Union Players’ Association (RUPA) for innovative ways to improve the overall standard and safety of our players.”
Waratahs CEO Greg Harris said retaining Foley was crucial for the franchise.
“Bernard is an outstanding talent and an integral part of our team,” Harris said.
“It is essential for the Waratahs that we lock away the spine of the team and retaining Bernard, along with Nick Phipps, is a crucial part of this exercise.”
What do you think of this flexible deal Roarers? Is it the way to prevent an exodus from Australian shores?
Roy
Guest
Yes he was an excellent 7 s player, able to find space and an excellent reader of the game. Plus he suits the style the Australians want to play... You have no other better options at Aust level 15 s. I think it was a smart move by Aust rugby. They need to secure these types of players, they have already lost Nic White by sitting on their hands and not playing arguably the best talent at 9( his overall skill would far surpass Phipps) So who will they loose next? For the guys saying try this player or that...it takes years to develop a good 10 at Super level let alone International level... Our stocks of Australian eligible players who can play 10 are extremely low and getting lower, with not too many coming through...
Bakkies
Guest
As a side Kane Douglas is out for the season with a bad disc in his back
Markus
Guest
Exactly my point. Does anyone think he is going to continue developing as a Test level flyhalf while spending over 2/3 of the year playing in a competition two levels below Super Rugby?
Dally M
Guest
Also the first to announce he's off to Japan where the ARU said they would prefer the contracts to be if they were to allow the flexibility. This would be another reason guys like Horwill, Genia etc. were probably not offered the same type of deal.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Pulver announced this style of contracting was coming back in August last year. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/rugby-union/aru-contract-review-opens-way-for-sabbaticals/story-e6frg7o6-1227040213061 This just happens to be they first they have successfully negotiated and announced. A big early to claim they have bent the rules to favour the Tahs. Let's see what other players move to this style of contract. A bit hard to draw conclusions off a sample size of one.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Presumably the payment from Oz is lower than if they paid him to play here exclusively. I have no idea of the numbers but say Foley was currently on 1M over three years, a new deal may be 500K for three years since he can pick up 2M for the two years in Japan. ARU halves its player payment while the player gains a two and a half times increase. As I say no idea what the numbers actually are but both the ARU and the player should be better off financially but that needs to be balanced against the risk of over playing.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Benny would be likely to pick up the FB spot if Izzy goes offshore. A fair way to go with regard to contracting at the Tahs.
Markus
Guest
Roff won a title before he left for Biarritz too. He set the record for most Wallabies starts in a row before he left then was a part time bench option on his return. Fardy never cracked Super Rugby. And one could argue that Staniforth became a better player just by getting away from the Waratahs :)
Combesy
Roar Guru
EJ can you honestly say it had no bearing on this?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
QC has done sfall according to you. Whilst Foley at 10 has won 6 of 12 games 9 of those games and 5 of those wins against teams other than the AB's and Boks. In fact, if Foley had not played in the June series, he would have only won 2 games as a 10 for the Wallabies. QC on the other hand has our best record against the AB's as a 10
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
And players on the 7s tour also play club rugby. Generally senior 15s.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
You mean unless Cooper discovers form from the 1 test season ago actually. He said that a player with considerable flaws who many say is the best flyhalf option is not underrated. That's pretty fair. Seems like plenty rate him despite his shortcomings.
soapit
Guest
physically perhaps in some respects but mentally?
soapit
Guest
thats probably pushing things but he's the best 10 that manages to reliably stay injury free for a stretch of time. given coopers possible post wc intentions and you can understand them wanting to lock in the short term cover at least
Redsback
Guest
That would be better than the Foley deal. At least they would not be playing the entire year. Under this plan he would play: 15-20 Super Rugby games, the Japanese season, the June tests and the rugby championship. I assume he won't get picked for the end of year tours. This means he will probably be playing 40+ games a year for two years. You think Genia is burnt out at the moment? Imagine if he had that workload. How exactly is he going to maintain a decent playing weight when he has no time off? How is he going to stay mentally fit for the whole 2 year period? It would be better for all concerned if we just picked the best team available, irrespective of where they play their club rugby. I would certainly like to have Giteau covering 9, 10, 12 on the Wallabies bench - allows for a lot of flexibility and the possibility to pick a bigger pack because you can afford an extra forward on the bench...
Daveski
Guest
He's not a complete player and I acknowledge he's got some shortfalls. But you wrote him off point blank. He's also achieved a lot in a few short years and unless Cooper discovers some form from 4-5years ago and can stop getting hurt I don't see a better option. He's also playing in a super rugby system that requires a lot more from a number 10 than any other Oz team.
Rugger
Guest
Daveski Thanks for update. When Foley was captain we were ranked 12th in 15 team series. Say no more.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Australia's first choice flyhalf in a one of their worst calendar years including their equal worst EOYT where they managed to lose games despite having greater possession and territory. If he's Australia's first choice on merit, no point even travelling to the RWC.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Classic Combesy "I'm not trying to start a state based parochial argument BUT..."
eagleJack
Roar Guru
BM, I think that's a great point. None of us (I think) have sat through the negotiation process of each player. I disagree with those who believe this has only been offered to Foley because he plays for the Tahs.