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Bernard Foley proves to be divisive figure right to the end

The New South Wales Waratahs confirmed yesterday that fly-half Bernard Foley will not be returning to the team, or Super Rugby, next season, as he will move to Japan’s Kubota Spears after the World Cup.

With 67 Wallaby caps to his name, that does not necessarily end his chances of playing international rugby (as the Giteau Law states that overseas players must have over 60 caps), but it does add to a concerning number of players that are leaving Australian shores.

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As of next season, fly-halves Foley, Quade Cooper and Christian Leali’ifano will all be playing in Japan, in addition to a plethora of other players.

However, Waratahs and Australia fans are not too upset with this announcement regarding Foley. There has been a fairly muted response on social media to this, but those fans that have given their opinion have not been entirely impressed with Foley over the past few years.

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Foley has always been reliable for whomever he plays for, but not necessarily the most flashy. His conservative style has perhaps meant he has not been able to completely win over the Australian public, and some fans feel that his departure can allow the next generation to flourish.

There will be an alarming lack of depth to Australian rugby next year, but that has been the case for a long time, and the Wallabies have always managed due to the eternal flow of young players coming through.

Suffice to say that many fans are not as concerned about this exodus as some think.

This is what has been said:

https://twitter.com/RShortball/status/1149508281318043648?s=20
https://twitter.com/oladalot/status/1149444955888394240?s=20
https://twitter.com/KuzivaChikwani/status/1149446735229530114?s=20
https://twitter.com/TomGalbraith2/status/1149461430871085056?s=20

However, it has not all been negative from fans, as many recall some of the better days the 29-year-old had in a blue or gold jersey. He steered the Waratahs to the Super Rugby title in 2014, and a year later the Wallabies to the World Cup final.

The way in which Foley pulled England apart in the group stages in 2015 may well be the defining moment of his career to date, as he scored 28 points in his side’s 33-13 win at Twickenham. Some fans, however, feel his form since then has slumped.

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https://twitter.com/theseedypencil/status/1149437494934433792?s=20
https://twitter.com/BrenMallard/status/1149435094966235136?s=20

Throughout his time with the Waratahs and the Wallabies, Foley has been one that has split opinion, so it is only understandable that his departure evokes the same reaction.

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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