Bernard Foley retires from professional rugby

Former Australia fly-half Bernard Foley will retire from professional rugby at the end of the Japanese domestic season, bringing the curtain down on a distinguished career for club and country.

The 36-year-old leaves the game after earning 76 caps for the Wallabies and enjoying major success in both Super Rugby and Japan’s League One competition.

Bernard Foley Retirement Confirmed

Kubota Spears confirmed Foley’s retirement along with teammates Lappies Labuschagne and David Bulbring. Foley has been playing in Japan since leaving Australian rugby after his international comeback in 2022, and he helped Kubota win the League One title in 2023.

His retirement ends a professional career that spanned more than a decade at the highest level. Known for his composure under pressure, Foley built a reputation as one of Australia’s most reliable fly-halves.

Bernard Foley Wallabies Career Highlights

Foley played his final Test for Australia in 2022, finishing with 76 international caps. One of the defining periods of his Wallabies career came during the 2015 Rugby World Cup, when he played a key role in Australia’s run to the final.

He scored 28 points against England in the pool stage and later landed a late penalty to secure a dramatic quarter-final win over Scotland.

He was also part of Australia’s 2019 Rugby World Cup squad in Japan and remained in the national selection frame in later years whenever injuries affected the Wallabies’ fly-half options.

Bernard Foley Super Rugby And Sevens Success

Before becoming a regular Wallabies playmaker, Foley also represented Australia in rugby sevens and won a silver medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

At club level, one of his most memorable achievements came in 2014 when he kicked a late penalty to help the Waratahs beat the Crusaders 33-32 and win their first Super Rugby title.