Bernard Foley is off his game and almost off contract, so does he have a future in Australia even if he wants to stay?
There’s a strong possibility that Foley, who turns 30 in September, will be keen to head overseas after this year’s World Cup.
The likelihood of him settling in Japan to play in the Top League is high, however he’s also a chance to head to Europe with a few of his Wallabies teammates to take up a rich deal.
Since his brilliant form at the 2015 World Cup, Foley has been fairly underwhelming for the Waratahs and Wallabies.
A solid contributor, for sure, and pretty reliable. But his running game hasn’t been as prominent in recent years.
He seems happy to be more of a kicking and passing five-eighth, despite his speed being one of his best traits.
His current contract expires after the World Cup. Having made over 100 appearances for the Waratahs since 2011, if he does decide to move on he will leave a big hole.
Where to for Bernie Foley? (Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
The Waratahs picked his understudy for the last few seasons, Mack Mason, to start against the Sunwolves earlier this season in Newcastle.
As a Wallaby in a World Cup year, Foley needed a rest at some stage and Mason’s selection was made with a view to the future, giving the 23-year-old a chance to run the show.
Mason is signed with the Tahs until the end the 2020 season.
“We knew Bernard indicated that potentially this could be his last year,” Gibson said in late March when announcing Mason as the Tahs’ No.10.
“He could move offshore, and we needed someone who was going to be here long-term and we saw that in Mack.”
Mason make a few crucial errors in a dismal loss for the Tahs that now, with three regular-season games remaining and sitting eight points away from the Australia Conference-leading Brumbies, looks as haunting as ever.
It would be cruel to judge Mason on that sole dud performance, but if the Tahs still think he’s not the playmaker to lead them over the next few seasons, would they offer Foley a new deal or look elsewhere?
Does the Tahs backline need an overhaul? Only yesterday, Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson gave Foley a bit of a spray for his output against the Jaguares last weekend.
“We’re pretty disappointed with how Bernard performed at the weekend. It was below where he should be. He knows that,” said Gibson, a day before he lines up against Quade Cooper and the Melbourne Rebels.
Foley outshone Cooper when the two sides met last month, racking up all 16 second-half points as the Waratahs flew home to win 23-20.
If Cooper turns it on tonight, gets revenge on Foley and helps to get his side a vital win, he can not only put the Rebels in a great spot to make the Super Rugby finals but boost his hopes of winning back a Wallabies jersey.
But on top of this, Cooper’s future beyond this season is also unknown – so he could also be on show for another contract.
After 118 games for the Reds, he only signed a one-year deal when he got the flick from Brad Thorn in Brisbane, and he hasn’t given much away publicly as to where he sees himself next year.
Like Foley, it’s likely Quade will continue his career overseas.
Quade Cooper and Will Genia have been superb in 2019. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
He is 31 and his main motivation for playing on in Australia this season was to try to get on the Wallabies’ plane to the World Cup. He’s already had a taste of overseas club competition when he spent 2015-16 at Toulon in France, but Japan is also a strong possibility.
Matt Toomua is a natural replacement for Quade at No.10 for the Rebels, while some think Jack Maddocks might even be on the verge of a move into five-eighth.
Christian Lealiifano will start at five-eighth for the Brumbies when they take on the Sunwolves in Tokyo on Saturday. He’s also 31, has played well over 100 games for the Canberra side since his debut in 2007 and is off contract at the end of this year.
Lealiifano hasn’t said much publicly either as to where he would like to play on next year, but he too has already had a stint overseas with Irish side Ulster in 2017.
Matt McGahan, a 26-year-old New Zealander, will start at five-eighth for Queensland on Saturday night against the Jaguares in Brisbane with Bryce Hegarty shifting to fullback.
After Thorn got rid of Quade, Hamish Stewart was tipped as the chosen one to take over at No.10. He has struggled there, played a bit of fullback, and then spent time on the sidelines recently with a shoulder injury.
Over the next two months we will probably find out what jersey Foley, Cooper and Lealiifano will be pulling on after the World Cup.
There’s a strong chance that all three five-eighths will leave to move to overseas clubs, leaving behind about 370 Super Rugby games of experience in a swift shift.
There will be a few vacancies at five-eighth at Australia’s four Super Rugby teams next season. Is there the quality to step up and make a mark?
riddler
Roar Rookie
I sense in you a harbouring of resentment towards the Tokoroa Teenager for events going back to Laptopgate etc You have said as much. why is it resentment. it is fact. if cooper was doing these things that you are saying then i would be very happy catchy. he is not though. it is a complete misconception that cooper is playing well, he had some good patches in the first couple of games. very little since, in fact quite the opposite with the amount of ball the rebs have had and the near wallaby backline they have. for me cll is the best option at the moment as he has improved greatly over the season. cooper is not the answer in my eyes at all, all i see if people looking through extremely blinkered goggles when reviewing his play as playmaking and net positive.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
The Reds have failed to keep McInyre and Stewart playing for them. Both needed guidance not the sack. Lealiifano is our best 10. There’s little between Cooper and Foley when you look at their performance’s against real talent. Cooper is playing well within himself and Foley is flat out.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Riddler, not your finest post. Anyone calling Foley a name in the extreme negative gets a serve from me. No player playing courageously deserves such derision, even if I wouldn’t pick them. Your alliance with Jacko here, and his cute little ‘joke’ at Quade’s expense shows you to be a little less ‘balanced’ than your recent posts profess. Jacko can be funny, sure, and probably is a decent fella. We have had good exchange at least once. And there have been other qualities he has brought as well. No one is perfect. I sense in you a harbouring of resentment towards the Tokoroa Teenager for events going back to Laptopgate etc You have said as much. Australia needs deception in attack, long passes left and right and an accurate kick passer. CLL and Quade are playmaking options to create Test success. Foley has spent five years showing us that he is not.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Such a nice person you are, Jacko.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Vermeulen and Eben get a fair bit of Kiwi love
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
The 2 codes aren't that much different, if anything it is faster and the 10's need to think and move faster and with more confidence. it is more about the level of opposition. Cooper is well established as a biscuit, so the bar is pretty low.
Farthing
Guest
In the last 9 games between Cooper and Foley, Foley has won 9 of them. I think it’s 9 or something like it. Either way the “best” 10 in Australia is being completely and utterly dominated.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
I know of no reliably recorded instance of a Kiwi expressing admiration for a non-Kiwi rugby player.
Markus
Roar Rookie
Have heard really good things about both of them. Apparently Brumbies are after Will Miller, but I feel they are adequately covered for 7 in the short term between Cusack and Jahrome Brown, who I have been pretty impressed with coming from being not even in the squad to starting every game in their current win streak. Would prefer they persist with those two then invest in another young development loosie, whether it be finding a Fardy/Mowen type tall blindside, a big line breaking 8 or scouting for the next GOAT Wallaby 7 - McReight or Wright, I'd be happy with either :)
Garry
Guest
Deegan looked the goods again in a one sided affair this week. He looks like he has all the skills in management. Question is how different the two codes? There seems more space to move at the Force. How would he go at Test level, even SR, with less space and time?
Garry
Guest
Fortunate for Foley, unfortunate for the fans. Live with your choices and results MC.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Agree with all that Cookie. But if we don’t have starch in the forwards what do we need any backs for? Let alone Foley and DHP. Sounds like a recipe for losing nobly (as we did in the last World Cup). With Foley our attack has a much lower ceiling. And the height of that ceiling is too low to win the important test matches. It’s all academic now. Cheika has his 15. He has squandered the nations rugby resources for four years. On the bright side, if we bow out at pool stage we can start our rebuild for the next cup a few weeks earlier than the world’ top 8 squads.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Meakes at 12
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
And last nights Tahs / Rebels game again proved neither Foley or Quade are great flyhalves. Both are ordinary and error prone imo. And what another poor quality Aussie derby it was. Error ridden and tactically naive - again
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Fair Call on 12. but I think he is a better 10 than Foley and cooper only fulfils the attacking side of the role. I can't have players that can't defend. There is more to rugby than the highlights reel. This is why I suggested Deegen, he is the complete package. Still a little green and prone to errors, but is full service with a complete bag of tools..
Rugby wizard
Guest
I agree that the wallabies dont have a true world class 10,but too win a WC it's not really necessary. A 10 that does the basics well is good enough too help win a WC and it's been proven,but you then need a good ball playing 12. Yes Carter,Larkam,Lynagh,Fox and Wilkinson was world class and if you have a 10 as good as that you dont need a secondary playmaker at 12. Stransky was not world class so too Butch James,but beside them they had good ball playing 12's and it brought success.(Hennie le roux was great) AUS doesn't have a world class 10,so I understand why Nick has many times pointed out Hunt should be 12,Godwin would have been my preferred 12 but that's not possible.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
And Toomua, 30 in January.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
Good article Will You’re right there is very little back up for any of Australia’s 3 top flyhalfs. Quade and Lealiifano are clearly the 2 best in 2019 and I would not pick Foley in my WB squad. Toomua would be my backup flyhalf. Foley can go to Japan now for all I care.
Rugby wizard
Guest
Would like Ikitau too be given a chance he has huge potential. As a Reds supporter and depth is important but I feel it's not good for AUS rugby if our best young 7's are at the same franchise Mcreight and Wright. How good a talent is Mcreight ,I think he will become the best 7 we have ever produced that's how highly I rate him.
Rugby wizard
Guest
Harrison is also a option so too McDonald,so let's say Lucas too Fullback and Banks and Hodge in as well. 9.Mcdermott 10.Harrisen/Mcdonald 11.Petai 12.Godwin 13.Hodge 14.Banks 15.Lucas Everybody in that backline can kick,how fantastic is that!!and you have a left boot at 12.