The Melbourne Rebels are looking to use their win over Moana Pasifika to springboard their finals charge with a host of players returning, headlined by Wallaby Matt Philip.
The Rebels did it the hard way, surviving a second-half comeback to defeat Moana Pasifika 43-33 in Auckland.
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“We’ve gone through a fair bit over the past three weeks and played some good Rugby so to come away with the win in New Zealand away from home is really important,” Foote told reporters.
“We had some late changes in our team but it just shows our great leadership and guys stepped up. I thought Angelo Smith did really well as well as David (Feliuai) did well in the centre.
“It can definitely be a catalyst for a good performance back home.
“We did start well but I think we still left a few points out there,” captain Brad Wilkin added.
“It’s a good game to move forward and work on what we’ve been working on before a big game next week against the Brumbies."
Foote confirmed a host of players are firming for their return, including Wallaby Philip.
Philip hasn't played since rupturing his ACL, hours before the Wallabies were set to head over to Europe for the Spring Tour.
He will be pushing to be fit for Sunday's match with the Brumbies, with Richard Hardwick and Josh Canham more likelier to be back.
“Matt Philip is nearly there or thereabouts (for next week) so our medical team have done really well," Foote said.
“Josh Canham will be back next week, we expect Richard Hardwick to also be back which is great.”
It comes at the perfect time as the Rebels face an important five-game stretch, with clashes against the Brumbies book-ending a trio of matches against finals contenders Waratahs, Highlanders and Force.
"We actually started the game well, but we still left a lot of points out there," Foote added.
"We, unfortunately, lost the bonus point but really happy that we got the win.
"We haven't won in New Zealand for a while, and away, so that was a good effort from the boys."
