The Iceman returneth? Foley backed for World Cup role as Tahs step up pursuit

Veteran playmaker Bernard Foley could be a crucial weapon for the Wallabies at the 2027 Rugby World Cup after the Waratahs stepped up their mission to bring the 36-year-old back to the franchise next year.

This masthead revealed Foley and fellow Wallabies veteran James O’Connor are considering returns to Super Rugby next season after finishing up stints in Japan and England respectively.

O’Connor has not yet attracted interest from Australian clubs, but Foley, who will lead Kubota Spears into the Japanese League One semi-finals this weekend, is now a prime target for Waratahs coach Dan McKellar, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation.

The Waratahs are set for a major shake-up of their five-eighth stocks for next year, with Jack Debreczeni retiring and Lawson Creighton and Jack Bowen off contract and yet to receive new offers. Max Burey and Joey Fowler are both set to join the top NSW squad, but McKellar is keen for an experienced playmaker.

The Waratahs – along with owner Rugby Australia – have been in talks with Foley about the 76-Test Wallaby joining the franchise next season, but it is unclear if a formal offer has been tabled.

Foley is also weighing up retirement but is holding off making any decisions about his future until after the League One season finishes. The Kubota Spears, who also have World Rugby Player of the Year Malcolm Marx in their side, face Marika Koroibete’s Saitama Wild Knights in the semi-finals.

Foley was dubbed the “Iceman” when he booted the Waratahs to their only Super Rugby premiership in 2014, and was also a key figure at the 2015 and 2019 World Cups.

After 119 games for NSW, Foley moved to Japan in 2020 and he is now aiming to finish up his six years in League One with a second title. He led Kubota to their first title in 2023 and took the Tokyo team to last year’s grand final as well. Foley has consistently been one of the competition’s leading point scorers, too.

Foley last played for Australia on the 2022 spring tour, but fell victim to Eddie Jones’ senior player purge the following year and missed the World Cup squad. He told this masthead in 2024 he was always available if called upon by the Wallabies.

Foley’s potential return to the Waratahs in a World Cup year has the enthusiastic backing of former Tahs and Wallabies teammate Adam Ashley-Cooper, who trod the same path in 2019 ahead of the World Cup in Japan.

Ashley-Cooper, who won a title in the 2014 NSW side with Foley, returned to the Tahs in 2019 after several seasons in France and Japan in a bid for World Cup selection under Michael Cheika.

“It started with thinking that my Wallaby days were done in 2015 after that World Cup,” Ashley-Cooper said. “I had set my sights on exploring a career overseas. I guess it was a time when I wanted to spend the rest of my career abroad and just enjoy more of a lifestyle experience as well. But then I found myself with a real desire to be world-class again, if that makes sense.”

Ashley-Cooper played in Super Rugby and earned selection for his fourth World Cup at the age of 35. Foley turns 37 later this year, but having watched him still dominating the high-quality Japanese competition, Ashley-Cooper believes the goal-kicking playmaker is still operating at an elite level.

“There’s no doubt the guy is as competitive as they come, and he’s still very hungry,” Ashley-Cooper said.

“Just look at his influence on and off the field. He’s a natural leader, and you have to be when you’re in that quarterback position. The team up there [Kubota] went from being a lower-ranked side to basically one of the best teams in the Japanese competition over the last couple of years because of who they’ve had in that No.10 position, playing that director role.

“He’s the type of player Australian rugby has been crying out for over the last couple of years. Even if he’s not selected to start in the 10 jersey, the immense influence he could have on the other playmakers there by sharing his experiences would be invaluable.

“He has more experience and confidence now; he has just become a more mature and wiser player. We need that wisdom in that role in Australian rugby.

“I am impressed with the growth of our young 10s, like Carter Gordon and players such as [Ben] Donaldson, Tane [Edmed] and Declan Meredith. But there have been no standout performers in that 10 jersey.”

Ashley-Cooper said Foley’s influence could also prove valuable with Roosters NRL star Angus Crichton likely to play No.12 at the Waratahs next season, and to get the best out of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, too.

Meanwhile, the Western Force are also deep in talks to bring powerful centre Izzy Perese back to Australia next year, also in time for the World Cup.

The six-cap Wallaby and former Waratah has been outstanding for Leicester Tigers in the English Premiership during the past two seasons.

With James Ramm also returning from England, and Zac Lomax and Dylan Pietsch already on deck, the outside backs squeeze in Perth may result in one-Test Wallabies winger Darby Lancaster moving across the Tasman and joining the Blues.

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