Bernard Foley remains hopeful of wearing the green and gold at next year’s Olympic Games despite already securing an unprecedented deal to play rugby year-round in Australia and Japan.
Far from harbouring any burnout fears after being granted the ARU’s first-ever “flexible contract” that will allow the Wallabies playmaker two seasons in Japan while also carrying on with the Waratahs, Foley is also eyeing a spot in the Australian sevens team for Rio de Janeiro.
“I’ve always been very passionate about the sevens and to play in the Olympics is something that would be very special and something I’d love to do,” Foley said on Thursday.
Foley, a former Australian sevens captain who won a silver medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, not only expressed his desire to make the Olympics but also revealed negotiations with the ARU, Waratahs – and presumably sevens coach Geraint John – had taken place.
“Logistically, it’s going to be tough but hopefully we can – or maybe – there will be an opportunity there to work in with the sevens and the Waratahs,” he said.
“Being part of the Olympics would be amazing and there has been that communication as well.
“So I’m not going to sure how it’s going to pan out … with the seasons overlapping and the time lines.”
Foley’s double deal locks the goalkicking No.10 in with the Waratahs until the end of 2018 and also frees the 25-year-old up to play for a Japanese club – tipped to be the Ricoh Black Rams – after the World Cup and again after next year’s Rugby Championship.
Foley will effectively be playing rugby all year round for at least the next two years, but that’s the trade off for the ARU as it desperately tries to head off a mass player exodus after this year’s Rugby World Cup.
Foley says the high-tech medical monitoring of players these days has him well equipped for the gruelling schedule.
“Every day we’re logging in about our welfare,” he said.
“We’ve got monitors on our back saying every metre we run.
“The responsibility comes down to myself as well, putting myself in the right position and looking after myself.
“I know my body and know how to manage it and get the best out of it.”
Foley pointed to Waratahs teammate Jacques Potgieter, the South African hardman forward who doubles up for the Fukuoka Sanix Blues between Super Rugby seasons, as proof that playing in Japan as well can be done.
“When he first came here, I think it was a bit of a shock the demands coming back to Super Rugby,” Foley said.
“But if you look at him this year, he’s a lot lighter. He’s leaner and he’s been raring to go.
“He’s been able to play nearly every minute of every game and straight back into it.
“So it’s not like it’s foreign and he’s in a different position to me and still been able to do it.”
Justthetip
Guest
Australian rugby seem to be too proud to steal lessons learnt from the all blacks. SBW is currently a better prospect than Nonu. He would have been a certain starter at last rwc in every other national side. The all blacks however understand that you can't produce a winning psyche overnight and handing out starting jumpers to all the 'form' players is weak. You can have a valid argument for the all blacks depth but they built it giving first preference to those who have paid their dues, providing they still have the desire and attributes to contribute. The wallabies made Genia and Cooper win back their positions from players of lesser talent and who so far have contributed little positives. Genia hasn't handled the rejection. Cooper has. He's endured a rwc where it seemed the whole host country was cheering him to fail. He and Pocock need to be starters for this World Cup. I don't only believe it's the right thing for the World Cup but it sends a message that players who stay the course and have produced for the wallabies in the past are respected. You don't build depth and respect for the jersey by having Beale anywhere in rwc calculations. Or by calling Foley the incumbent. Pocock and Hoopers both deserve a starting spot and strategy may determine this. Frankly this is preferential treatment for an average player by international standards. Australian rugby keeps making gutless decisions it's relevance in the Australian sporting landscape c
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
I agree die hard. How can a player be at his best with the Tahs, Japan rugby, the wallabies and the sevens team? One or 2 of those teams wont have the best of Foley and he will be either tired or injured at some point. I actually find it very presemptuous to aim at these 4 goals especially considering he could do with a few extra goal kicking sessions to improve what is/should be a key area of his game and that's seriously lacking.
AndyS
Guest
It surprises me how little folk regard Sevens and those that play it. Players quotes are often snippets, so I wonder if when he said “I’ve always been very passionate about the sevens and to play in the Olympics is something that would be very special and something I’d love to do”, he then went on to say that "It's a great hobby and, if they manage to get us qualified, it will have been a good experience for the current players and all that they can expect. But if it is going to get serious, I'm sure they'll understand that it will be time for some real rugby players to step in and show them how it's done". It certainly seems to be taken as a given.
Die hard
Roar Rookie
Greed, naivety and an overinflated sense of invincibility will all end in tears I think. "How much can a koala bear?", as the saying goes. “Every day we’re logging in about our welfare,” he said. “We’ve got monitors on our back saying every metre we run." Well in a year or two he will probably be logging on to confirm battered and bruised, jaded and stale. What will the ARU contract look and feel like then. A very poor decision if we end up with two seasons of rubbish. When it is all done he will need a year off.
Magic Sponge
Guest
Foley , Toomua and Izzy the mainstay of oz backline should all be in the 7s,
Rugger
Guest
Daveski And might I remind you again where was Australia when Foley was play maker - languishing towards bottom of table. JOC was dynamic as 17/18 year old. He will kill it now given his experience.
Daveski
Guest
Rugger the ABs are coming off a loss to Canada in the most recent 7s tournament. Given Foley was Aus 7s player of the year four years ago I think he'd be ok. Agree with you about JOC but that's no revelation. He was excellent in half a season with the Aus 7s team as a 17/18 yr old
Rugger
Guest
JOC over Foley any day of the week...speed, flair and prototype playmaker for 7s program. In any event, how would Foley go with Fijian flyer as play maker not to mention AB 's who have converted outside backs playing in playmaker role? He would be left for dead.
Tissot Time
Guest
JP doesnt play test rugby. Nice that you know how to get the best out of your body. Good luck its going to be a tough couple of years.