Bernard Foley puts hand up to be Wallabies No. 10 with another strong performance for Waratahs
WARATAHS ace Bernard Foley has presented an emphatic case to wear the Wallabies No. 10 jersey next week after matching rival Aaron Cruden hit for hit.
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WARATAHS ace Bernard Foley has presented an emphatic case to wear the Wallabies No. 10 jersey next week after matching rival Aaron Cruden hit for hit.
Foley was assured against All Blacks five-eighth Cruden in the Waratahs impressive 33-17 victory in New Plymouth on Saturday, while kicking six from six goals and scoring the final try of the match.
He could have done little more to convince Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie that he is ready to start his first Test at five-eighth for Australia against France in Brisbane.
The other choice as Wallabies five-eighth is Foley’s teammate and midfield partner Kurtley Beale, who has played brilliantly over the past month during NSW’s four-match winning streak.
NSW coach Michael Cheika hopes they may eventually form the national midfield combination, as they do for their club.
“It’s always good to play well here, one of the great things is that they’re playing so well in tandem, him and Beale,” Cheika said.
“You can defer the heat sometimes and the pressure, he can be a runner sometimes, it’s an old-fashioned way of playing I suppose but it’s the way we like to play.
“I’m sure Bernard is growing in confidence all the time, there are still a lot of work-ons.
“He kicked well tonight for goals.
“Either lad — I’d love to see them play together there — but if either one gets picked I’ll be really happy for them.”
Cheika said he was unconcerned about the three-week break in the Super Rugby season to accommodate the in-bound Tests, even though his side had more momentum than any other right now.
“Everyone wants to play for their country, for those that get capped it will be a great experience,” said Cheika, who has 11 players from his team in the Wallabies squad.
“Hopefully they’ve learned some things from us that they can take to the next level.
“We’ll see what happens when they get back, there is nothing we can do about it, that’s the way the planning has been done.”
Originally published as Bernard Foley puts hand up to be Wallabies No. 10 with another strong performance for Waratahs