Waratahs' Foley promises to return passion

NSW Waratahs five-eighth Bernard Foley insists the endangered Western Force won't be the only team playing with passion in Saturday's Super Rugby game in Perth.

Bernard Foley

Bernard Foley says the Waratahs will match the passion of the Western Force this weekend. (AAP)

Fired-up NSW Waratahs five-eighth Bernard Foley insists the Western Force won't have a mortgage on passion in Perth heading into what may be the hosts' last-ever Super Rugby match.

Either the Force or Melbourne Rebels will be cut from the competition next season and the Tahs are expecting an emotion-charged final round game on Saturday.

Given those circumstances and that the Force's favourite son Matt Hodgson will be playing his last game before retiring, Foley predicted a feisty encounter and is wary of an abrasive Force pack.

"I don't think the emotion, the pride, the passion, just belongs to them," Foley said.

"For us, we've got as much to play for in a season that hasn't gone our way, the results haven't gone the way we wanted them.

"We've spoken about finishing the season off well, really putting an exclamation mark on what's been a challenging season.

"That emotion, or that passion, they don't have a mortgage on it, just because it could be their last game or they've got the home crowd."

The Tahs will also be motivated by trying to send stalwarts Dean Mumm and Rob Horne out on a high in their final game for the franchise..

NSW have notched just four victories this season, the same as in Foley's first full year with the club in 2012.

"The last time did it, we were able to win the comp two years later, so from a season like this you've got to take a lot away from it," Foley said.

"You've got to to review it openly and honestly and learn some lessons and be better for next year."

Foley emphatically rejected the claim of player discontent towards coach Daryl Gibson which was aired in a Fairfax media article earlier this week.

"I can squash all rumours here, there's no chat of player dispute or questioning Daryl," he said.

"He has the complete understanding and complete support of the playing squad."


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Source: AAP



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