One win over a New Zealand win isn’t enough for the Waratahs, flyhalf Bernard Foley says.
The Waratahs’ win over the Highlanders ended a 40-game losing streak for Australian teams against Kiwis, but it’s not a narrative NSW has soaked up too much in the aftermath.
“That's what it probably appears from the outside, everyone saying how good it was that finally this is what happened, but for us it's something we haven't spoke about, because we know that we can be doing it each week,” he said.
“It's something that this team is capable of and I see it daily because we get to train with the squad and be a part of the squad.
“It's no mean feat to do it once, we have to do it regularly and then we'll take the congratulations and the back slapping at the end of the season when we've won this competition.
“It's not that we've done it now, so we can relax and it's all over. It's now that we keep building on it and keep growing with this squad, and reaching the potential and capabilities that we have.”
The Waratahs travel to Hamilton for the final match in a four-game block against New Zealand teams, when they face the Chiefs, and Foley said they could learn plenty from a 31-29 loss to the Crusaders across the ditch a fortnight ago.
“I think from the Crusaders game, I thought we controlled the game really well in the start and we played in the areas we wanted to play, played the right territory and didn't have to play a lot of footy and then we let them back in through our game management and control,” he said.
“For us, (it’s) knowing the threats to that the Chiefs are going to provide.
“They're a really dangerous counter-attack side and also from turnover.
“So, it's not giving them easy possessions or in areas where they just want to counter and want to play and can hurt you with their most dangerous weapons.
“For us, it's just game control, being smart in where we play and how we play.”
Foley is set to play his 100th NSW game on Saturday, seven years after making his debut against the Blues in Auckland.
Winning the 2014 championship with the Waratahs was undoubtedly one of Foley’s best memories among his past 99 games, and the flyhalf said that feeling had only made him more hungry to lift the trophy again.
“I think you become the hunted. I think all teams do their review and make sure you cover off exactly what you did well that season,” he said.
“That was tough in terms of backing it up again.
“For me, I think the motivation is probably now deeper to do it again - you've done it once, you know you can do it and it's possible that you just want to do it each and every year.
“That's why we do the hard work, it's not just to participate in the competition, but it's to actually win it.
“I think that's what we're trying to instil in the squad here is the belief that for them it is possible, that if we keep turning up, keep doing the work, preparing the best we can that winning the competition is not out of our reach and it's something we want to be doing each and every year.”
The Waratahs take on the Chiefs on Saturday, kicking off at 7:35pm local, 5:35pm AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO.
