Bernard Foley: Ben Smith is the world's best fullback
Waratahs five-eighth Bernard Foley has hailed Ben Smith as the best fullback in the world ahead of his side's clash with the Highlanders on Saturday.
Foley is wary of Smith's counter-attacking presence and stressed that accurate kicking would be a must for his side to have a shot against the New Zealand side.
"They're a high-kicking team and they love to play off unstructured possession, off turnovers, so if we're guilty there, if we kick poorly to them, they're a team that really likes to counter," Foley said.
"They've got a really dangerous back three, they've got probably the world's best fullback and then [Waisake] Naholo is pretty dangerous on the wing as well."
Foley's star teammate Israel Folau will be looking to justify his case as the world's best No. 15 when he meets Smith for the first time this season.
Smith's counter-attacking chances will be dictated by Foley, who has been scrutinized for his up-and-down form this season.
"I don't need that external pressure or motivation to lift me," Foley said.
"There are enough guys around me who drive me and inspire me to be the best player I can be, so that's how I try to approach every day, go out there and get the most out of it and be the best player I can be.
"Hopefully that improves my standard.
"The thing about the form, that's on an individual basis but that's not what I judge myself on. I'm mainly [judging myself] on how the team is going and what I can do to help this team and get the outcomes we want."
Two missed penalties ultimately cost the Waratahs a historic victory last weekend as they fell victim to a 29-point Crusaders comeback - the greatest in Super Rugby history.
But Foley is confident that his goalkicking resume speaks for itself, after famously sinking the Crusaders in the 2014 Super Rugby final and beating Scotland in the 2015 World Cup quarterfinal with game-winning kicks.
"What do the fans remember more? Probably the ones you kick," Foley said.
"As a kicker I suppose it's the journey we go on in professional sport, the highs and the lows. It's that rollercoaster that we're forever living in between.
"When you miss those kicks, it definitely hurts and you feel the added weight, but in saying that, with the respect of the team I know they're going to do the job so they have all the faith in me.
"I have kicked well in games or stretches, but that's something I want to do throughout the whole season, not kick well for five games then have a shocker and drop the percentage."
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Everywhere you turn some irish journo is advocating Ireland as the greatest, reasoning that the wc is a 4 year cycle event so, they say wc doesn’t matter it’s the rugby in between that should account for the accolade. If there was no wc then some substance could be gained, however in my opinion the moment that defined Ireland’s fate against the abs was 37 phases of repeated head bashing against a brick wall. If a change in strategy or a tinker with the game plan was executed then things could've been vastly different. And to point a finger the let down was in the hands of the number 10.
Go to commentsI have heard it asked if RA is essentially one of the part owners and I suppose therefor should be on the other side of these two parties. If they purchased the rebels and guaranteed them, and are responsible enough they incur Rebels penalties, where is this line drawn? Seems rough to have to pay a penalty for something were your involvement sees you on the side of the conned party, the creditors. If the Rebels directors themselves have given the club their money, 6mil worth right, why aren’t they also listed as sitting with RA and the Tax office? And the legal threat was either way, new Rebels or defunct, I can’t see how RA assume the threat was less likely enough to warrant comment about it in this article. Surely RA ignore that and only worry about whether they can defend it or not, which they have reported as being comfortable with. So in effect wouldn’t it be more accurate to say there is no further legal threat (or worry) in denying the deal. Unless the directors have reneged on that. > Returns of a Japanese team or even Argentinean side, the Jaguares, were said to be on the cards, as were the ideas of standing up brand new teams in Hawaii or even Los Angeles – crazy ideas that seemingly forgot the time zone issues often cited as a turn-off for viewers when the competition contained teams from South Africa. Those timezones are great for SR and are what will probably be needed to unlock its future (cant see it remaining without _atleast _help from Aus), day games here are night games on the West Coast of america, were potential viewers triple, win win. With one of the best and easiest ways to unlock that being to play games or a host a team there. Less good the further across Aus you get though. Jaguares wouldn’t be the same Jaguares, but I still would think it’s better having them than keeping the Rebels. The other options aren’t really realistic 25’ options, no. From reading this authors last article I think if the new board can get the investment they seem to be confident in, you keeping them simply for the amount of money they’ll be investing in the game. Then ditch them later if they’re not good enough without such a high budget. Use them to get Jaguares reintergration stronger, with more key players on board, and have success drive success.
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