Australian · Sydney, Australia · Born 8 September 1989Bernard Foley was Australia's long-time first-choice fly-half, helping the Wallabies reach the 2015 Rugby World Cup final.
An Australian rugby player of Irish descent, Bernard Foley burst onto the scene in 2013 and quickly established himself as the Wallabies' first-choice fly-half through the back half of the 2010s. He racked up the most on-field minutes of any Waratah in the 2013 Super Rugby season and made his full Test debut against Argentina the same year. Foley's defining club moment came in the 2014 Super Rugby final, where he kicked the match-winning penalty as the Waratahs beat the Crusaders 33-32 to claim the franchise's maiden title. He was capable of playing at fullback as well as fly-half, adding tactical flexibility to Australia's backline. His finest international form came at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, where he scored 82 points across the tournament, including a standout 28-point haul against hosts England that helped eliminate them from their own World Cup at the pool stage — one of the biggest shocks of the tournament. In 2015, Foley signed a groundbreaking contract that allowed him to play for both the Wallabies and Waratahs in Australia while also turning out in Japan, an early example of the flexible-release arrangements that later became common for leading international players.
Wallabies fly-half, 2015 World Cup finalist
How They Played
Versatile playmaker with a strong kicking game, equally comfortable at fly-half or fullback
Lasting Impact
One of Australia's most creative fly-halves of the 2010s
Career Honours
- Rugby Championship titles
Australian Athletes