Super Rugby
Waratahs fly-half Bernard Foley says he has no fear of burnout
AAP
February 10, 2016
© Cameron Spencer/Getty Images for BMW

Bernard Foley expects he might get mentally drained during the coming Super Rugby season, but he's excited by the challenge of trying to stay refreshed through a demanding cycle of near non-stop rugby over two years.

The Waratahs and Wallabies and NSW Waratahs' playmaker went from the 2015 Super Rugby campaign into the Rugby Championship and the Rugby World Cup before playing with Japanese Top League club Ricoh Black Rams.

He will have had only around four weeks off by the time he plays in the Waratahs' final trial.

"It's the unknown for me at the moment. I haven't had to do it in the past," Foley said.

"It's definitely going to be a challenge - maybe sometimes I will be a bit mentally drained.

"But I think it's going to be exciting for me to stay refreshed and, going from different programs, it allows me to keep that mental, freshness.

"There's definitely a lot more challenges that I've put on myself and to keep reinvigorated and keep challenging myself to be a better player."

Foley expressed no fears about potential physical fatigue and said he wasn't looking at the option of being rested but he would keep Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson updated about his condition.

"We definitely did speak of monitoring and having a communication throughout the season and Daryl has been very open in discussions with me," Foley said.

"I suppose it's for me to identify if I'm not feeling that spark or having a bit of a lull physically.

"At the moment, we haven't spoken of a contingency plan but I think I'd be raring to go."

The first Wallabies on a flexible contract to have an overseas sabbatical, Foley endorsed the concept.

"I would thoroughly recommend it in the fact that you can go and experience rugby in a different culture," Foley said.

"But in saying that, you've also got to be playing and maintaining your performance. You have to be at the peak of your game whenever you play and that's going to be the challenge this year and I'm looking forward to that."

© AAP

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