Bernard Foley’s indifference reeks of guaranteed cup selection

Bernard Foley is playing as if Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has already guaranteed him the No 10 jersey for the World Cup.

Bernard Foley is playing as if Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has already guaranteed him the No 10 jersey for the World Cup. You would think that players and coaches alike would be highly motivated this year to produce their best but all we get is the same old garbage that is degrading rugby in the country.

I agree with what my colleague Wayne Smith said about Foley earlier this week after their loss to the Brumbies in Canberra last weekend.

The Waratahs three-quarters are filled with Wallabies but they continue to stand far too deep, drift across field and lack any idea of how to attack their opposition.

Foley sets the tune. It seems the Waratahs playmaker is going through the motions because he simply lacks nous with ball in hand, and his kicking game and goalkicking are woeful and getting worse by the match.

The game plan set by Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson and his assistant Chris Whitaker does not help. It appears to rely more on luck than solid attacking structures.

By trying too hard to make up for the inadequacies from Foley, Kurtley Beale naturally overplays his hand rather than rely on his superstar mates in the outside backs to earn their keep and actually do something constructive on the field .

The modern game is more forward-orientated than in my playing days to the point that I would not be able to enjoy the challenge as I would rarely touch the football.

It is a problem that afflicts Adam Ashley-Cooper. I was not a great fan of Ashley-Cooper before he departed for overseas and he has done little to change my opinion on his return. But it is not his fault that he rarely touches the football.

Against the Brumbies, Ashley-Cooper touched the football two or three times in the first half and probably twice in the second half, which is not enough to have an impact. It is a sign that Gibson and Whitaker haven’t done their homework or perhaps do not know how to teach the right attacking structures in the first place.

And while most of my disappointment is aimed at the Waratahs I am not that fond of the Brumbies’ attacking platform either.

The centre combination of Irae Simone and Tevita Kuridrani weren’t much better last Saturday night with both players hardly touching the ball. They ought to complain to their captain and five-eighth Christian Lealiifano to give them a chance to show their abilities.

On the few occasions Simone did manage to get the ball he chose to kick it, in what could be a sign that he lacked the confidence to take it to the gain line.

The current state of backline play is an indictment on Australia’s Super Rugby coaches.

I would be on a steep learning curve if I was to coach a Super Rugby team. But that said I would certainly get to understand the game very quickly and what it takes to be consistent and win matches not only for the fans but for the greater good, the Wallabies.

The Waratahs will have trouble against the Crusaders tonight in Sydney because the visitors adapt to the conditions and are not forward-obsessed, unlike their hosts.

The Brumbies play the Reds tomorrow in Brisbane and while it will be a difficult match, the more experienced Brumbies shouldn’t have any problems defeating the youngsters who are still struggling to find the right combinations under coach Brad Thorn.

If would be easier if the Brumbies used key players such as Simone and Kuridrani, rather than letting them wander all over the park waiting to be invited into the match.

The start to an important year for Australian rugby has certainly been scratchy and it would be great to see the likes of the Brumbies and Waratahs challenge the Rebels, guided by veterans Will Genia and Quade Cooper, who are playing some good rugby so far this year.

Perhaps Cheika should tell all of our Super Rugby players that no one is guaranteed a position in the RWC squad.

Maybe then we just might see some decent rugby played by players who have to work harder and not take anything for granted.