Bernard Foley could be a lot worse for the Waratahs than Matt Renshaw was with the bat for Queensland pre-Ashes but still comfortably get picked for Australia’s first Test this year.
Since making his Wallabies debut against Argentina in late 2013, Foley has maintained a tight hold as Australia’s premier five-eighth and shown plenty of class in doing so.
He was central to the Tahs’ Super Rugby title in 2014 and outstanding in Australia’s surge to the World Cup final a year later.
He’s been bashed by the best flankers in the world, copped plenty for his goal-kicking battles, overcome serious concussions – but consistently he’s proven to be a top-end No.10 with the full bag of tricks in attack and sturdy defence.
But Foley heads into this Super Rugby season arguably in a relatively cushy position.
If he took time to dwell on his chances of racking up another full year as Wallabies five-eighth, he could probably concede he’s got few rivals poised to rip his jersey off his back.
(AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
No Quade Cooper. Kurtley Beale is also at the Tahs but preferred at inside centre. Matt Toomua is still in England.
The Brumbies will likely stick with Wharenui Hawera, a New Zealander, at five-eighth. Christian Lealiifano might play a bit at No.10 and mostly at inside centre, but even after a solid stint at Ulster in Ireland after recovering from cancer, he will take time to settle back into the high-paced Super Rugby competition.
The Melbourne Rebels will have either a rookie – Tayler Adams or Jack McGregor – or Jack Debreczeni, who would need significant improvement to challenge for a Wallabies start.
The Queensland Reds will be steered around at fly-half by Jono Lance – a solid performer – or Hamish Stewart, Duncan Paiaaua or Ben Lucas.
As far as potential candidates go for the Wallabies five-eighth jersey, Foley enjoys a large gap over the field (it could be argued that Will Genia has done the same with Wallabies aspirants for his halfback jersey).
You would think that if a Test team had to be selected tomorrow and Foley was injured, his Waratahs teammate Beale would get the nod – not any of the other specialist five-eighths in Australia.
As a comparison, Beauden Barrett is kept honest as the All Blacks’ five-eighth by Lima Sopoaga – although he’s moving on to England at the end of this Super Rugby season – as well as Chiefs playmaker Damian McKenzie and the Crusaders’ Richie Mo’unga.
Amongst most top teams in many sports around the world, you’ll find success thrives when competition for spots is fierce.
When Brad Thorn told Quade Cooper to pack ‘em up at the Reds, Foley’s biggest rival was gone.
Granted, Cooper was already on the outer with Wallabies coach Michael Cheika – who cut him loose last season – but Thorn effectively closed the door on the glimmer of hope he had of resurrecting his Wallabies career in Australia.
Cooper is the type that could be five red-hot games from putting heat on Foley.
(AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
When Toomua and Lealiifano had the Brumbies’ backline humming a few seasons ago – swapping between the No.10 and No.12 jerseys – they were both pushing Foley hard.
Foley now has an armchair ride; he could wear Okanuis and thongs for the Tahs while sipping on a Negroni and still get chosen for the June Tests against Ireland. He’s earned that standing after four years as the country’s number one No.10.
Of course, he’s a seasoned professional. He sets high standards. Cheika would likely view him as one of the main men to lift Australian rugby following a dismal 12 months.
Foley is a playmaker, No.1 goal-kicker and pretty experienced now. He’s going to be in the top five most-influential figures if the Wallabies are to – dare one dream – win the Bledisloe Cup this year and the World Cup next year.
So given there’s no one really breathing down his neck at national level, how does Cheika – and Tahs coach Daryl Gibson – get the best out of him?
There’s more urgency for Gibson, who needs wins early to have any chance of signing a new contract following two poor seasons.
It’s Foley’s running game that needs to be encouraged. He can be lethal. The two games that stand out are last year’s Bledisloe III win in Brisbane and the Wallabies’ World Cup pool win over a shellshocked England at Twickenham in 2015.
Not only does he possess the pace to scythe through holes, but taking on the defensive line more will take a bit of pressure off Beale at inside centre for the Tahs.
If the Waratahs and Wallabies are to turn their fortunes around this year, Foley is one of the high rollers of Australian rugby that can spark change. But with the specialist five-eighth landscape as it is, can Gibson and Cheika ensure he’s not complacent? Can they get the best out of him?
Malo
Guest
Foley had a free ride because of q.c , q.c has been rubbish for 7 years
jeznez
Roar Guru
If you want to ask how many Super caps Powell has then you start to make my case for me. He has 26 Brumbies caps to go with his 3 appearances for the Wallabies. Hanigan only has 15 Waratahs caps to go with his 12 appearances for the Wallabies. Hanigan showed early that he wasn't ready for the International stage but was persisted with over other options until he was finally dropped. He is a perfect example of what we are talking about. And to say Fardy was off overseas is disingenuous - he left because he was clearly told he was down the pecking order - despite being a strong performer whenever given a shot. Similarly do you think if Higgers had been given an extended run in the squad that he couldn't have modified his game?
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Guest
Cynical Play, you bring a level of logical even-mindedness that we on the other side of the argument can only be grateful for.
Mmmmm..k
Guest
Jez, how many Super Rugby games has the multi test capped Powell had? Fardy was off over seas. Alternative was then tested. He played Fardy a lot originally. Higgers and Hooper isn't ideal. Naturally we all question selections, especially when we want to blame something or somebody for the team not being as good as we want. Then we start saying how the fringe players would be better, like Frisby or Godwin. I've heard how those guys should be picked. In most cases they're not better but sometimes they are. I honestly don't see a "must pick" 6 or 8 in Aus yet. I would like to see Powell get more of a run, which he will. Mumms gone because viable alternatives are ready at lock. Moore's gone. Cheika has debuted a lot of players and does give players a go.
MARTO
Guest
." I have no idea why " You should have left it at that..
jeznez
Roar Guru
Mmmm...K the whole point I raised was that there are certain players he gives cap after cap to, even when they aren't setting the world alight. We've given specific example of who some of these players are. And alternates for their positions have been put up, that are given limited and in some cases no chances. Moore vs Uelese and Latu Robertson vs Smith and Faulkner Mumm/Hanigan vs Fardy, Higginbotham, Jones, Timani Phipps vs Powell and Gordon I stand by my statement at the top. He just plain hasn't given the players on the right hand side of the list the chances he has given to the players on the left. If the players on the lefthand side were all going great in the international set up, that would be rewarding performance but all of those players have or had issues that are quite obvious with their games. The alternates are all credible and deserve or deserved more of a chance to prove their worth.
MARTO
Guest
Rob Malcolm?? Nice one Jameswm . haha.
MARTO
Guest
Nicholas if you think Foley is decent you must still be dining off that 2015 performance against England .. The " ICEMAN " has been atrocious for 2 years and you call him decent... Speaking of dining and decency... English food is decent Nicholas, but it doesn't mean it`s any good... AAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH !! HAHAHAHAHA
Crash Ball2
Guest
Stunning how a “serviceable” 10 has somehow been elevated into the rarified echelons of one of the greatest Wallabies to don the flyhalf jersey in the modern era in just one off season. Quick, somebody check to see if Ned Hanigan has transformed into Melon, Phipps has morphed into a, pre-Pinetree, Ken Catchpole and Robertson has grown taller than my dear grandmother during this magical summer hiatus’.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
I think Genia is probably better than Murray. Agree Ireland are clearly superior at 1, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10 and probably 12. Much of that is down to superior coaching, game plan and selection, however.
Crash Ball2
Guest
No doubt, he is an excellent player. But, he wasn’t even the Wallabies best backrower this season. None the less, by comparison, I’d select Sean O’Brien every time.
Gepetto
Guest
Quade just captained a Barbarians side that had limited preparation to a narrow loss in 2017 and but for a few strange refereeing decisions, the Ba Bas could have been another of the many teams to dunce the Wallabies in recent times.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
What an intelligent, informed and balanced comment...
Malo
Guest
Quade would be lucky to make the Penrith 1sts, he was history 3 years ago only qld were stupid enough not to see how useless he was. He should try and take Mundine or Danny Greeen on.
cm
Guest
Personally, I don't give a crap about which state any Wallaby is selected from. If they're in the team, they should be the best player in the country in their position or, if it's a neck-and neck call, go for the guy who best suits the team style and team harmony. So I'd be happy to see Quade in the 10 jersey if he fit those criteria. But he's so inconsistent and a real liability when he stuffs up, while on the other side of the ledger I haven't seen him make a winning difference for years. Foley is not the world's best 10 and never will be, but while I think he should take on the line more often it's clear his consistent selection is based the selectors' desire to minimise the downside risk. Then there's the fact, as others have pointed out, that Quade keeps being punted by coaches. I have no idea why as I am not an insider, but there has to be something in that history.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Guest
Well put Don.
Garry
Guest
Reading this article I felt suckered. Surely this is a Dorothy Dix article, tongue firmly in cheek, to create emotive responses during the quiet off season. Well done sir. But then I saw all the supportive comments, now I’m confused?
Rob M
Roar Rookie
James, You win best comment on this article from me. Spot on. I agree that Larkham and Foley are actually quite similar players, being passers and runners flat at the gain line. Their relative weaknesses were/are their kicking. Both were/are adequate defenders. My wild guess/hope is that Foley is going to have a great season - if he doesn't get injured. Prior to this summer I think he had 22 months straight of rugby (or injury). People forget or don't know that he went off and did a crazy (probably lucrative) season in Japan between our seasons last year. Just having a few months off is essential for any player, but for a small 5/8th with kicking responsibilities that's a lot of pressure. Plus he had that spell of getting concussion. Frankly it was amazing he was still standing in the second half of last year. A few months of sitting on the beach should see him back with fresh zip. Plus he'll have both Beale and Folau outside him fresh as well. Cheers, Rob
CJ
Guest
Everything you say makes perfect sense.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Thanks Nick. Exactly my interpretation of your thoughts, and I agree wholeheartedly. Whether the incumbent is the worlds best or not, it is always important to have viable backups applying pressure and in case of injury. Foley's no superstar, but neither are any of the other options. The last couple of years have been a real low point in the stock of 10's in Australia with the need of imports. The responsibility for the lack of quality play makers falls at more feet than just Cheika's.