Foley: We are on the right path
BERNARD Foley declared he is more confident of winning next year’s World Cup than he was in 2015 when the Wallabies made the final.
Australia has since sunk to seventh in the world rankings but Foley, who has re-signed with the Wallabies and Waratahs until the end of 2019, says the team can produce a similar turnaround to the previous tournament when they unexpectedly reached the decider before losing to the All Blacks.
Coach Michael Cheika took over for the 2014 spring tour with the Wallabies in crisis after Ewen McKenzie sensationally resigned, and Australia won their pool against England and Wales, before defeating Scotland and Argentina in the playoffs.
“I think having that experience is very comforting. Twelve months out from the World Cup last time I didn’t have that belief at all but now I’ve got that belief,” Foley said.
“I’m more than confident we can go one better than we did last time with the players we have and the programs we’re setting up and the coaches we’ve got putting it all in place, that we can be where we need to be to win the World Cup.”
Under-pressure coach Cheika must present his World Cup plans to the Rugby Australia board, who have grave concerns about the team’s plummeting performances with eight defeats in 11 Tests.
Cheika presents to the board tomorrow and the Wallabies fly overseas on Saturday for six weeks.