Bernard Foley has picked the perfect time to score his first try of the Super Rugby season, snatching a crucial 31-26 win for the NSW Waratahs over the Melbourne Rebels at AAMI Park.
The stand-in skipper while Michael Hooper is sidelined with a hamstring injury, Foley gave his team the match-winning lead on Friday night when he intercepted a Billy Meakes pass and raced 50m to touch down.
The Rebels hammered the tryline in the final few minutes and had a lineout after the final siren but the Waratahs' defence held firm to secure the vital win.
Leading the Australian conference over the Rebels by one point before the match, the win gives the Waratahs some breathing space with two rounds to play before the finals.
"It's massive to get the win in terms of the Australian conference," Foley said.
"And also they were exceptionally up for the fight tonight."
The home side will be kicking themselves after leading 26-17 until late in the second half and having all the running.
But an intercept by Kurtley Beale turned over the ball to set up a try for Ned Hanigan in the 69th minute before Foley's intercept try three minutes later.
The Waratahs fightback was all the more gutsy with their preparation was rocked with superstar fullback Israel Folau officially ruled out less than 24 hours before kick-off.
