The Quade Cooper-esque rugby Bernard Foley has been playing in Japan
When Bernard Foley moved to Japan after the 2019 World Cup, many people would have thought that the fly-half was not going to pull on a Wallabies jersey again. Then again, many people would have thought the same of Quade Cooper in 2017.
But the 32-year-old is back in the Wallabies camp and could make his Test comeback this weekend against South Africa in Adelaide in round three of the Rugby Championship.
It is a remarkable turnaround for the Kubota Spears No10, and he will be looking to bring his new game to Australia. Traditionally, Foley has been seen as the opposite of Cooper in terms of their style of play, but there are plenty of highlights of his attacking game in Japan and how it has come on.
In fact, Foley has drawn inspiration from Cooper and the way his teammate turned around the fortunes of Australia last season after being called into Dave Rennie’s squad.
“I was really impressed how he came back in and just the experience and the composure he was able to add to the side,” Foley recently said.
“You saw pretty much all the players around him lift and grow in stature and confidence by having that experience and that voice and calmness next to them, directing the team around.
“His influence and effect on the team has been massive and it’s sad to see his injury… that opportunity falls on me now.”
Foley has also been full of praise for the younger fly-half in the Wallabies squad, Noah Lolesio.
“I’ve been really impressed coming in meeting Noah, just how composed and confident he is,” Foley said.
“I think he’s a guy who can come in and call the shots and I’m really excited to work with him.
“These guys are immensely talented – they’ve got the composure, mentality and probably the rugby IQ to run teams.
“They just need that experience, that time in the saddle to really master their craft.”
Take a look at some of Foley’s highlights in Japan:
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How about that last pass from @bernardfoley? @Kubota_Spears flipping from defence into attack with a bit of magic sprinkled in 🪄
📽️ @LeagueOne_JP pic.twitter.com/nFzoZrs33r
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) February 1, 2022
