mobanmarketAustralia playmaker Bernard Foley is excited to get an unexpected opportunity to take on New Zealand once again in Thursday’s huge Bledisloe Cup encounter.
The fly-half has not featured for his country since the 2019 Rugby World Cup but gets another chance in the gold jersey after injury ravaged the pivot position.
Quade Cooper was the first-choice option but he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in the opening match of the Rugby Championship against Argentina.
James O’Connor took the reins for the second clash with the Pumas, but the Reds player struggled in the heavy defeat.
He was duly dropped but has since suffered another injury which could keep him out for the rest of the year.
Noah Lolesio out with concussion
O’Connor’s issues with form opened the door for Noah Lolesio, who impressed in the Wallabies‘ victory over the Springboks in Round Three before faltering against the same opposition a week later.
Lolesio was due to keep his place for this week’s game in Melbourne but concussion problems means that, to an extent, Foley is the last man standing.
“You always wish you can get one more crack, one more taste,” the 33-year-old said. “So for me to be back here, it’s just making the most of it.
“It means so much. Not being a part of it for a couple of years, being a spectator overseas, you get to reflect on how much the jersey means to you and how you really appreciate it. I’m really excited.
“You definitely look at [Bledisloe] games and we had some great battles. We had a great couple of wins and a few narrow losses that really sting. That’s just part of the journey and enjoying the journey for what it was.”
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Foley believes that he is a better player to the one which was part of their disappointing World Cup campaign in Japan.
“(I feel) a lot more well-rounded in terms of seeing the opportunity and embracing it,” he added. “Last time there was a lot going on. (I was) trying to please a lot of people and doing it for some of the right reasons, some for the wrong.
“This is game one. I’m not looking any further than Thursday night and just try and make the most of it.”
Dave Rennie admitted that he would have kept Lolesio in the XV had the youngster have been fit, but the Wallabies head coach is delighted to have Foley as back-up.
Experience and leadership
“We would have liked to stick with [Lolesio] and get a bit of continuity, but it’s fantastic to have Bernard as an option,” Rennie said.
“He’s done really well and he’s got his head around things quickly. He was excellent last week… he’s fit in really well. His experience, his voice… it’s been a good transition and he’s ready to go.”
All Blacks boss Ian Foster also reserved praise for the number 10 and expects a difficult challenge from Australia’s ‘new’ fly-half.
“(Foley is a) very astute, very experienced Test match player and he’s played with their players for a long, long time,” Foster said.
“I don’t see it as being a major change for them. He will probably bring a bit of enthusiasm and love the chance to put his hand up to get back into that group.
“I certainly don’t think they’ll lose anything and they may even gain a little bit.”