Foley not worried about burnout

Wallabies playmaker Bernard Foley has dismissed burnout concerns after becoming the first player granted a flexible contract by the Australian Rugby Union.

NSW Waratahs player Bernard Foley

Wallabies five-eighth Bernard Foley has re-committed to Australian rugby for a further three years. (AAP)

Bernard Foley has no burnout fears despite securing a flexible contract with the Australian Rugby Union that allows the Wallabies playmaker two seasons in Japan while also carrying on with the NSW Waratahs.

Foley is the first player granted such a deal as the ARU tries to head off a mass player exodus after this year's Rugby World Cup.

The deal locks Foley in with the Waratahs until the end of 2018 and also frees the 25-year-old up to play for a Japanese club after the Rugby World Cup and again after next year's Rugby Championship.

Foley will effectively be playing rugby all year round for at least the next two years, but says the high-tech monitoring of players' welfare and conditioning has him equipped for the gruelling workload.

"Every day we're logging in about our welfare," he said on Thursday.

"We've got monitors on our back saying every metre we run.

"It obviously comes down to myself as well, putting myself in the right position and looking after myself to get through the workloads that are going to be required.

"I know by body."

Foley's recommitment to Australian rugby comes after his Wallabies and Waratahs halves partner and housemate Nick Phipps signed a deal in December to stay until the end of 2017.

Test captain Michael Hooper, along with fellow Wallabies Rob Horne, Benn Robinson and Paddy Ryan have also recommitted to the Waratahs beyond the World Cup.

Waratahs chief Greg Harris hailed Foley's retention as a coup and hoped the likes of Israel Folau, Kurtley Beale and skipper Dave Dennis will also stay.

"Bernard is an outstanding talent and an integral part of our team," Harris said.

"It is essential for the Waratahs that we lock away the spine of the team and retaining Bernard, along with Nick Phipps, is a crucial part of this exercise."

Goalkicking playmaker Foley was a key figure in the Waratahs' maiden Super Rugby title triumph last year.

He and Phipps have also been the first-choice Wallabies halves combination under Waratahs and Australia coach Michael Cheika.


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Foley not worried about burnout | SBS News