Bernard Foley shapes as the key to fixing Waratahs’ season

THE Waratahs are poised to unleash the speed of Reece Robinson and a youthful backrow the save their season but it’s the return of a Wallaby star who holds the key.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 15: Bernard Foley in action during the Waratahs Super Rugby training session at Kippax Lake on March 15, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

THE Waratahs are poised to unleash the speed of Reece Robinson and the youth of a new-look backrow against Queensland on Sunday but it is Bernard Foley’s brain that shapes as the key to fixing NSW’s season.

Foley, who has missed the opening month of Super Rugby with a shoulder injury, will finally be named at no.10 for the Tahs when the team to meet the Reds in Brisbane.

Foley’s return will see him reunite in the NSW midfield with Kurtley Beale, who will shift back to no. 12. Robinson trained with the Tahs’ starting side on the wing on Thursday and is set to make his run-on debut at Suncorp Stadium against the Reds, replacing Matt Carraro.

Bernard Foley is set to return against Queensland.

Upfront coach Daryl Gibson is set to unveil a reshuffled pack buzzing with youthful energy; 21-year-old Jack Dempsey will start at blindside flanker and last week’s hat-trick hero Jed Holloway will wear the no.8 shirt.

Alongside 24-year-old captain Michael Hooper, the additions of Holloway (23) and Dempsey might make them the youngest loose trio in the Tahs’ professional history.

Veteran Dave Dennis is to shift back into the second row alongside Dean Mumm, with Will Skelton benched. Prop Benn Robinson is also set to return via the pine, bringing back valuable insurance for an unchanged NSW starting front row, who’ll be challenged hard by the in-form Reds’ scrum.

After a scratchy start, Foley’s return is likely to has see the Tahs settle back into their old selves; mostly due to his composure and game management skills.

The Gibson-coached Tahs have tried to continue with the attacking style of Michael Cheika, but without Foley, have been unable to balance running ambition with a smart kicking game.

The Highlanders kicked all night to the Tahs last weekend and with the home side predictable and running most of their possession, the Kiwis successfully sweated on mistakes.

Bernard Foley is set to return against Queensland.

Foley said on Thursday he hopes to add an extra layer of variety to their option taking.

“That’s what we have talked about. We want to play an attacking style of rugby and play ball-in-hand footy, but we can’t be doing it to our detriment. We can’t be doing it too much that it is going to hurt us, or tire us out. Sometimes it is a bit like a boxer, you will knock yourself out,” Foley said.

“The energy levels have been phenomenal over the last couple of games. We spoke about, coming in at halftime in the Highlanders game, that our intent and our energy was there. But (we lacked) a bit of composure, maybe, and a bit of game management.

“We allowed the Highlanders to dictate that first 50 minutes by the style they wanted to play, and they knew it was going to work against a side if we were going to keep trying to play our type of footy.

“Just about being able to adapt and put the play back on them a little bit, turn it back on them and make them do something they’re not comfortable with. The first half we probably played into their hands a bit too much.”

Foley praised Beale’s time in the no.10 jersey but said he hoped his return would see him able “to play a bit freer out in the wider channels.”

“He is such a dangerous runner and can be a link player to the other outside backs,” he said.

“We probably saw that a little bit in the last 20 minutes of the Highlanders game; his ability to take the ball and challenge defensive lines in the wider areas. He is very dangerous.”