Why Wallabies great is taking punt on coach-less Waratahs
Bernard Foley hopes he can unlock the potential in the NSW Waratahs backline after agreeing to a one-year deal with the struggling Super Rugby club.
Foley, 36, and long-time play-making partner Nick Phipps, 37, have both returned to Sydney and want to help restore NSW pride after successful stints in Japan.
Bernard Foley of Kubota Spears gives a thumbs up for fans. Getty
The Waratahs are yet to officially announce their arrivals at Daceyville, but Foley spoke to Stan Sport’s Rugby Heaven about his decision.
“I thought it was a really exciting opportunity to be back in Australian rugby,” five-eighth Foley said.
“I had seven great seasons over in Kubota, in Japan, and learned a lot, played some pretty good rugby. I didn’t really have this on the list a couple of months ago, but the opportunity’s come about, and just excited to be back in the Waratahs.”
NSW parted ways with coach Dan McKellar after again missing the finals this season.
“I think they’ve got great players. We saw this year how hard they worked, and they wanted to work, but they probably didn’t get the results,” Foley noted.
“So to go back in and hopefully work with a couple of the young guys and that backline would be pretty exciting.”
Foley and Phipps were the starting halves when the Waratahs won their only title in 2014.
Foley played the last of his 76 Tests against Wales in 2022 and his return home will strengthen his chances of featuring at the home 2027 Rugby World Cup under new coach Les Kiss.
The Wallabies and Waratahs have failed to settle on a consistent No.10 and Declan Meredith will start for Australia against Italy in Perth on Saturday night.
Foley will be expected to mentor young pivots Max Burey and Joey Fowler at the Waratahs, and he will also be a valuable sounding board for NRL recruit Angus Crichton.
“That’s going to be half the role for me,” Foley explained.
Bernard Foley with an 'Iceman' sculpture made in his honour. nna\sworthington
“It wasn’t coming back just to play, it’s to try and work with these young guys, and instil confidence in them, try and grow their game playing ability, but also how they manage their matches, and I’m excited for that.
“I don’t know how it’s going to look, completely, or how much they’re going to take up from what I’m going to give to them… but you learn off the guys around you, you learn off the older guys in squads. When the older guys give you confidence and teach you, then I think your ability goes through the roof.”
Foley spoke with McKellar about joining the team before the coach’s exit.
He was open-minded about the identity of the next person in charge.
“It’s very early days, I think, in terms of the process and how they’re trying to recruit or see who’s available,” Foley said.
“But I think you want a coach that goes in there and really empowers the players. There’s so much talent and ability, but we want those guys to go out there and express and play free.
“There’s a lot of workers in there, worked extremely hard, from all reports, and hearing from the guys this year, they did a lot of hard work, but maybe very structured. So how they then can be freed up, how you can go and enjoy the place and feel empowered as a player to run the game.”
Foley also expressed his belief that Waratahs and Wallabies centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was best used as a winger.
Meanwhile, the Waratahs on Friday announced that fly-half Jack Bowen and locks Ben Grant and Angus Blyth have all left the club.
Director of high-performance BJ Mather thanked the trio.
“They have all shown unwavering commitment to the club and represented the Waratahs’ jersey with pride whenever they have taken to the field,” Mather said.
“Jack came all the way through our pathways program to Super Rugby Pacific level, while Ben and Angus have been huge assets for us in the second-row.
“We wish them all the best for the future and what’s next for them in their careers.”
The ACT Brumbies on Thursday announced they had lured Waratahs outside back Triston Reilly to Canberra.
Triston Reilly of the Waratahs scores a try. nna\sworthington
“We’re really pleased to bring Triston into our program. He’s a proven Super Rugby performer with the ability to change a game in an instant,” Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham said.
“His physicality, pace and aerial skill set give us real flexibility and weaponry across the backline, and we believe he’ll thrive in our environment,” Larkham said.
