Rugby World Cup: Wallabies star Bernard Foley revels in match-winning turn against England

MAN of the moment Bernard Foley said a record-breaking 28-point haul that helped the Wallabies smash England at Twickenham was “a dream come true”.

Australia's fly half Bernard Foley (L) passes the ball as runs past England's scrum half Ben Youngs during a Pool A match of the 2015 Rugby World Cup between England and Australia at Twickenham stadium, south west London on October 3, 2015. Australia won the match 33-13. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE, NO USE IN LIVE MATCH TRACKING SERVICES, TO BE USED AS NON-SEQUENTIAL STILLS

MAN of the moment Bernard Foley said a record-breaking 28-point haul that helped the Wallabies smash England at Twickenham was “a dream come true”.

Foley was still coming to grips with the emphatic 33-13 win over England which will see the home side become the first host nation to not make it out of the pool stages.

The No.10 turned in his best game in gold, scoring two of Australia’s three tries and kicking a perfect seven from seven to silence 81,080 mostly English fans and critics at home who argued Quade Cooper was a better option.

Bernard Foley proved the difference for the Wallabies.

MATCH REPORT: Foley dumps England out of their own party

AS IT HAPPENED: Relive the action from Twickenham on our rolling blog

PLAYER RATINGS: who were the stand-out Wallabies?

CHASTENED ENGLAND: ‘we’re sorry we’ve let everyone down’

Foley’s tally broke Matt Burke’s record against England (26 in 1998), Dan Carter’s record for most points by a visitor to Twickenham (26) and was the second highest ever outside Australia, behind James O’Connor (29 in Paris in 2010).

He helped the Wallabies post their biggest score at Twickenham in history.

Amazing he wasn’t voted man-of-the-match (Twitter bizarrely users chose Joe Launchbury) but Foley was very clearly the best on ground.

“It probably hasn’t sunk it ​at all but it just so satisfying. There was so much anticipation and the guys have put in so much hard work. To come out and show it on such a big stage and big occasion was very pleasing,” Foley said.

The Waratahs playmaker said he can’t remember scoring so many points in one match.

“It is a bit of a dream come true. We designed a few set moves around the ten and that paid off,” Foley said.

Bernard Foley scored two tries and kicked seven goals in a complete performance.

“There has been so much preparation and hard work gone into tonight, it is just very pleasing for the whole squad - coaches and players - for all the hard work to have paid off tonight.

“But it is a week to week tournament, we can enjoy it tonight but we have to get busy prepping for Wales tonight. Hopefully this can really kickstart our tournament and get us on a good footing for the next couple of games.”

With an emphasis on trying to threaten the line more with his running game, Foley said his first try was just about seizing the opportunity when a good carry and offload from Sekope Kepu held Launchbury back a fraction on the next phase.

“It was a really good carry and the defence struggled to fold. I have always tried to back my running game and my focus is to be a threat with the ball,” Foley said.

“When I am doing that, hopefully that opens up space for the guys out wide. The defender overtracked a little bit and I just lucky to sneak over.”

With plenty of Quade Cooper fans at home, Foley’s selection in the Wallabies No.10 hasn’t been unanimously supported but Cheika said he stood up to be counted at Twickenham.

“What we are asking Bernard and Quade, our two No.10s, is to take control off the game. Especially in tough moments and both of them are really growing in that regard,” Cheika said.

“Bernard was very influential. I know he got a lot of points, but also in the way he stood up to take responsibility.”

The flawless goalkicking of Foley was crucial in converting pressure - and a scrum dominance - into valuable points.

“It is something I have worked hard on. It is pleasing when it comes off on a big stage. Tonight was a game where they were flying well,” Foley said.

“It all comes to practice and to get the job done off the back off a great team performance tonight was just so pleasing.”

Foley said the key was backing up the win next week against Wales, in a game that will decide the winner of the pool. The winner will likely meet Scotland in the quarter-finals instead of South Africa.

“We have always spoken about winning all the pool games and that is still the objective. You don’t want to lose any games.” he said.

“You want to take momentum into the finals. It is really important for us to have a good performance against Wales next week and finish off the pool stages strong.”

Originally published as Rugby World Cup: Wallabies star Bernard Foley revels in match-winning turn against England