Bernard Foley proves to be divisive figure right to the end
The New South Wales Waratahs confirmed yesterday that fly-half Bernard Foley will not be returning to the team, or Super Rugby, next season, as he will move to Japan’s Kubota Spears after the World Cup.
With 67 Wallaby caps to his name, that does not necessarily end his chances of playing international rugby (as the Giteau Law states that overseas players must have over 60 caps), but it does add to a concerning number of players that are leaving Australian shores.
As of next season, fly-halves Foley, Quade Cooper and Christian Leali’ifano will all be playing in Japan, in addition to a plethora of other players.
However, Waratahs and Australia fans are not too upset with this announcement regarding Foley. There has been a fairly muted response on social media to this, but those fans that have given their opinion have not been entirely impressed with Foley over the past few years.
Foley has always been reliable for whomever he plays for, but not necessarily the most flashy. His conservative style has perhaps meant he has not been able to completely win over the Australian public, and some fans feel that his departure can allow the next generation to flourish.
There will be an alarming lack of depth to Australian rugby next year, but that has been the case for a long time, and the Wallabies have always managed due to the eternal flow of young players coming through.
Suffice to say that many fans are not as concerned about this exodus as some think.
This is what has been said:
However, it has not all been negative from fans, as many recall some of the better days the 29-year-old had in a blue or gold jersey. He steered the Waratahs to the Super Rugby title in 2014, and a year later the Wallabies to the World Cup final.
The way in which Foley pulled England apart in the group stages in 2015 may well be the defining moment of his career to date, as he scored 28 points in his side’s 33-13 win at Twickenham. Some fans, however, feel his form since then has slumped.
Throughout his time with the Waratahs and the Wallabies, Foley has been one that has split opinion, so it is only understandable that his departure evokes the same reaction.
Latest Comments
This France team is as good as they were when they went into the World Cup as favorites. Have gone through a rebuild of confidence and rediscovered that form.
Neither England nor Ireland will trouble this team in the 6N. That’s my prediction.
And I guess about time too. Considering that France has won but one 6N title in 6 seasons despite being the best French team for generations thriving off the platform which is the Top 14.
They must just beware of peaking too soon and going to Australia over confident.
Which is also why I thinks it’s absolutely bonkers that France isn’t sending there best players to New Zealand next year. Yes, it isn’t Australia, but getting some SH travel experience makes more sense than not.
Go to commentsI'm not meaning to criticise the players, it's a professional game, this is their livelihood so all power to them. I am aiming criticism at the selectors. Italy is the perfect opportunity to give players of the future a game such as Lakai, Love etc. There is a finite number of tests until the next world cup to develop the team, we are wasting one today.
Go to comments