Returning Wallaby Bernard Foley is heeding the lessons of the 2019 Rugby World Cup as he looks to lead a new generation of players from a similar path.
Foley remained in Japan after their quarter-final exit to England, plying his trade in Top League with Kubota Spears.
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The 32-year-old had accepted his International career could be over, despite qualifying under old Giteau law criteria before chats begin with coach Dave Rennie last year.
Whilst he initially knocked back Rennie's advance, it allowed him to reflect on his own career, 'liting the fire again' for a return in time for the Tests against the Springboks in Adelaide and Sydney.
“Dave and I first spoke after the French series and we had a really good, open chat about whether that was the right timing or somewhere else down the line and for me personally, it wasn’t the right to come in given I was coming back from overseas and bubble and having some family stuff. It probably wasn’t the right time and wasn’t in the right mindset,” he told reporters.
“It gave me time to reflect and really dive down into what I personally needed, lit the fire again about coming back in. We had open chats for the rest of (2021) and this season so to have that call-up and chat three weeks ago, I was eager and jumped at the opportunity.
"I’d always hoped and thought about it but I never thought the opportunity would come up again, especially leaving and going overseas knowing the eligibility had the ability to change, I had to be content with not getting the opportunity again when I left in 2019.
“To now get the opportunity to be back in the squad and wear the colours, I’m pretty grateful and excited to get that second opportunity.”
Not only did he reflect on his career, Foley took the time to understand where it went wrong in 2019.
It provides a unique position in a squad lacking older heads due to injury and withdrawals, urging them to embrace the moment.
“I think we were in a place where we cared too much,” he reflected. “We tried to force it too much and tried too hard to change the outcomes and go in there and have an unbelievable tournament.
“I suppose that’s where the intent and purpose was alright but the exception and how we carried it out, we weren’t able to circuit-break ourselves enough through those couple of years leading up into the World Cup.
“That’s what I’m enjoying about being in here and really understanding there’s only a finite time in this jersey and in this program, doing what we get to do so to make the most of it and enjoy it.
“That’s what I’m trying to tell a guy like Langi (Gleeson), it is a finite amount of time you get to spend in these programs so make the most of every day.”
From the outside looking in, there are clear comparisons to be made between 2019 and 2022 within the halves department as the Wallabies struggle for stability.
In the first three Tests of 2019, then coach Michael Chieka went with three different halves combinations before appearing to settle on a Nic White-Christian Leali'ifano combination ahead of the World Cup.
However, this changed throughout the tournament as the combo of White, Leali'ifano, Foley and Will Genia were slotted and changed until their ugly exit to England.
Whilst White has remained a constant figure over the past 12 months, Rennie has experimented with Noah Lolesio, James O'Connor and Quade Cooper.
Cooper was the frontrunner before injury and a Spring Tour withdrawal left O'Connor and Lolesio battling for positions.
Lolesio was preferred for England, then replaced by the Reds playmaker, with the experienced O'Connor now out of the squad completely.
Despite this, Foley believes it's in a much better position than three years ago, excited to add to the 'healthy' competition.
“Combinations and time together builds better relationships and creates that understanding, I think 2019 it was completely different from what we have now,” Foley explained.
“The intention and the purpose was right back then just the execution and game plan (wasn’t). I think what we are working with today is competition for spots is a healthy thing within teams. You want guys to drive but coming in and seeing here for one day, everyone is working with each other to get a better outcome and product.
“That’s the exciting thing from the short time I’ve been here is looking to add to that.”
Foley has kept fit after the end of the Japanese season, training with the Waratahs alongside the next generation of halves in Ben Donaldson and Tane Edmed.
He also took the chance to praise Lolesio for his outlook, despite the young half finding himself constantly in and out of the side.
The two barely got a chance to cross paths before Foley's departure but the Brumbies' confidence and control is something that has instantly impressed the 71-Test veteran.
"How we can develop these young guys now is really exciting,” he believes.
“I’ve done some work with Benny Donaldson and Tane Edmed, now in here with Noah, I’m really excited because I see these guys as immensely talented. They have the composure, mentality and the Rugby IQ to run teams, they just need the time in the saddle to really understand and master their craft.
“It’s difficult just being young in this environment but I’ve been really impressed with (Noah) coming in and meeting him, just how composed and confident he is. I don’t think it’s been knocked around, I think he’s a guy who can come in and call the shots. I’m excited to be working with him and seeing how he sees the game and will run it.”
