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Waratahs taking no risks with Foley after concussion setback

Waratahs and Australia fly-half Bernard Foley

Waratahs will take no risks with Bernard Foley after the Australia fly-half experienced more symptoms of concussion following his comeback against Rebels last Friday.

Foley came through his first Super Rugby appearance of the season at AAMI Park, having missed the opening five weeks due to a blow to the head sustained in a trial match against Highlanders.

The playmaker, who said he feared his career may be over during a “scary” struggle to get back on the field before facing Reds, has since reported a setback and could face another spell on the sidelines.

Waratahs assistant coach Chris Malone said Foley will be given as long as he needs to recover.

“It’s unclear exactly why those symptoms may have returned,” Malone said.

“With it being recurring and why a couple of symptoms have returned, we just have to investigate why before we even worry about him playing rugby,

“The great beauty of our medical staff in particular is ensuring that guys aren’t going out to play when they shouldn’t be.

“We have to just ensure that he’s looked after,

“There’s enough scary articles and different things out there and productions and film around concussion and it’s an issue today that it didn’t used to be.

“Therefore, from a coaching perspective, it’s a game at the end of the day. It’s not worth risking the rest of someone’s life for a game.

“So that’s why we’ll follow the protocol that we have to follow. I’m fully confident that in time, Nard will be sweet. And that may well be tomorrow. That may well be the day after that.

“So we’ve just got to play it by ear and ensure that we look after him.”

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Nickers 29 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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