Waratahs star Bernard Foley poised to become first ‘overseas-based’ player to be.....

Waratahs star Bernard Foley poised to become first ‘overseas-based’ player to be picked for Wallabies


IAIN PAYTEN
The Daily Telegraph
March 11, 2015 10:00PM

BERNARD Foley could become the first “overseas-based” player to be picked for the Wallabies, with the NSW star set to juggle Japanese and ARU contracts in 2016.

NewsCorp revealed last month that Foley had signed a two-year deal with a Japanese club and will join them after the World Cup.

But in an unprecedented move, the NSW star is now poised to sign a second contract to play for the Waratahs — and possibly the Wallabies — next year as well.

Foley was eyeing off returning to the Australian sevens team for the Rio Olympics but as originally reported, Michael Cheika and the Waratahs fought hard to convince him to stay at Moore Park between his Japanese seasons, which run from August to February/March.

They prevailed, and it is understood Foley is ready to put pen to paper with the ARU and Waratahs and will be back in Sydney after the Japanese season concludes.

It is unknown if Foley’s ARU deal extends to 2017 and beyond, but Cheika indicated last month he would not be on a flexible contract, which allows for one overseas season within a long-term deal.

Whether officially “flexible” or not, however, Foley’s contract will be the result of a new, Cheika-driven approach at the ARU that is seeking to bend-and-stretch formerly rigid contracting boundaries to ensure stars are not permanently lost to foreign cash.

The extent of Foley’s availability to Cheika’s Wallabies in 2016 is not yet mapped out, however, and could be a test case on exactly how far contracting protocols can flex before officially breaking.

The Waratahs star is committed to two seasons in Japan and therefore would be obliged to return in late August for the start of the 2016-17 Top League season.

Cheika is also keen for Foley to continue playing for the Wallabies, however.

This would be no problem in the June series against England, when — like George Smith did in the 2013 Lions series — Foley is under an ARU contract.

But if the star no. 10 is picked to play in Rugby Championship games in September-October, or on the Wallabies Spring Tour in November, Foley would be technically employed by a Japanese club and classed as an overseas-based player.

The ARU could potentially have to rely on the IRB’s regulation 9 for Foley’s release in a Test window — an unprecedented step.

Foley could look to get out of the second year of his Japanese deal but it is believed he is committed to honouring it, which would result in ARU/Waratahs contract lasting just six months in 2016.

Cheika said recently he was working with the ARU on more creative tactics to keep players, which is welcomed by many in Australian rugby as the overdue common sense required in a global market. Several Wallabies, like Scott Fardy, are discussing with the ARU short overseas stints as part of deals to stay in Australia.

“Not just one major stroke that will change the world. A few manoeuvres here and there to start working out how we are going to keep more players here,” Cheika said.

“It’s a slightly more aggressive strategy, but that’s what we need to do otherwise we are just going to sit here and the same thing is going to keep happening.”

The prospect of Foley playing in the Olympics has dampened with news of his intention to play Super Rugby, but not been extinguished entirely.

Foley’s presence in Rio could ultimately rely on the outcome of an internal struggle within the ARU about how much time will be needed for Super Rugby stars to prepare to play in the August Games.

Aussie sevens coach Geraint John wants players to be in his program by January 1, but there is a push from the states to allow any recruits to switch between Super Rugby and sevens World Series tournaments.

Middle ground will likely be reached, probably on a case-by-case basis, and Foley’s sevens background would allow him a later switch date than most.

And while Foley’s enthusiasm for sevens remains, whether he is deployed to play in Rio may come down to the ARU pulling rank.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/wa...-1227259151399

So if The Honeybadger plays for the Wallabies this year, which I am certain that he will, wouldn't he be "the first ‘overseas-based’ player to be picked for Wallabies"

Or do you have to be from the east for that to count :S

Had the same though TiF!

Was already there boys.

Anyone would think he is worth all the fuss!
He isn't that good that they need to allow it.
Want to play overseas? No problem, here are the rules.
I'm glad to see Badger back and sorry for the circumstances that lead to that decision, but if he plays Wallabies and returns to Japan then it's the thin edge of the wedge.
More gutless "leadership " from the ARU getting stared down by their Coach.

Tru Burgs, but at least Cummo is playing a season of Super Rugby before playing for the Wallabies. I don't see that as changing any policies at all, George Smith did a season of SR immediately after a stint in Japan and was then selected for the Wallabies there was no problem with that.

Correct me if wrong, but he is contracted to return to Japan post season and is effectively being "loaned"?

You should pick the best side no matter where they play. If you dont you end up with a second 15 and they dont deserve the honour and you might as well scrap the wallabies and call them the wannabees.

With that approach we would end up like Fiji with a true 1st XV every four years.
It is far too simplistic to take an any player, any location approach, we don't have the luxury of that kind of depth.

Its going to happen if we wont match overseas offers.

Part of the attempt to match is the lure of Test Rugby.
If we give that away then we're rooted because the code clearly cannot compete on cash alone.