BERNARD FOLEY RE-SIGNS WITH RUGBY AUSTRALIA AND NSW WARATAHS

Oct 18 • General News, International, Super Rugby, Super Rugby News • 1924 Views • Comments Off on BERNARD FOLEY RE-SIGNS WITH RUGBY AUSTRALIA AND NSW WARATAHS

Qantas Wallabies flyhalf Bernard Foley has put pen to paper to re-commit to Rugby Australia and the NSW Waratahs until the end of 2019.

Fresh from leading the Wallabies to their biggest comeback in Test history last weekend against Argentina, the 29-year old has rebuffed offers from overseas to pursue World Cup glory in Japan next year.

A veteran of 64 Tests, Foley is the fourth-highest points scorer (593) in Wallabies history and only sits behind Australian Rugby legends Matt Giteau (698 points), Matt Burke (878) and Michael Lynagh (911).

Qantas Wallabies flyhalf Bernard Foley said: “I’m really happy to re-sign and now focus on pushing ahead to focus on what’s a really big season next year.

“The World Cup is obviously a major carrot and I’ve got a lot of belief in this group that if we continue to work hard and focus on improving every day, then we can push deep into the competition.

“Right now though, I’m just concentrating on a really important run of games coming up. We can’t rest on our laurels and there’s a lot of hunger in the squad to keep improving.

“I’m fully invested in rugby in Australia, at both a national and International level. I feel there is a bit of unfinished business especially after going close at the last World Cup.

“I believe this team has all the ingredients and I’m excited to be part of making it happen,” Foley said.

Qantas Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said: “I’m very happy that Bernard has signed on but I don’t believe this will be his final year in Australian rugby.

“He has set himself a big challenge by going from year-to-year and I’m sure he’ll meet it.

“I know he wants to play to his absolute potential and lead the current group into what is a big 2019 with the World Cup just around the corner. It’s also really important to him to leave a legacy for the next crop and inspire young Australians to wear the gold jersey,” Cheika said.

Foley has starred at all levels of the game in Australia, having won a Commonwealth Games Silver medal for Rugby Sevens at the Delhi Games in 2010 before being named the 2011 Australian Sevens Player of the Year.

Recognition in the 15-man game followed soon after as he made his Shute Shield debut for Sydney University in 2011 before earning his first NSW Waratahs cap later that year against the Blues in Auckland.

The flyhalf led the NSW Waratahs to their maiden Super Rugby title in 2014 before cementing his spot as the Wallabies first-choice number ten in their charge to the 2015 Rugby World Cup Final.