Foote said the main lesson he learned during the Force saga was being transparent with players.

“Be honest,that’s the main thing. If you don’t know,don’t speculate,” he said. “Often with the media,something can come out there and you don’t know if that’s the truth or not. So you need good comms from the top and then you need to have empathy for people. If you give people clarity and purpose,they’re a resilient bunch and rugby’s values are around that.

“We dig in now and once we start to dig in,actually it can galvanise you. We actually had some good results at the back end of that[2017] season,even though it was a bit heartbreaking for a lot of people,we actually played some good footy.”

Under threat of the axe,the Force finished second in the Australian conference in 2017 and thumped NSW in an emotional last round in Perth. Regardless of whether it proves to a last season or not,Foote believes the Rebels are positioned well to make a breakthrough in 2024 and qualify for a first finals appearance.

The team,who pushed many leading teams last year,has recruited star Wallabies prop Taniela Tupou and Wallabies lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto,and captain Rob Leota will be back after missing last season with injury. Foote says the increased depth will make a big difference.

A key man will be young five-eighth Carter Gordon,who was elevated tostarting Wallabies No.10 last year after a strong Super Rugby season. Gordon was dumped by Wallabies coach Eddie Jones midway through the chaotic World Cup but Foote said the 23-year-old had grown as a leader through the Test winter.

“It was like a whirlwind for him but he is quite a stoic guy Carter,” Foote said. “I have seen being challenged quite hard in environments and he looks comfortable in his own skin.

“Having that mental toughness around what’s gone on … everyone asked me ‘what’s going to happen with Carter?’ He came back in early and just couldn’t wait to be around the boys. He is very fit,he tested very well.”

Usually,Test players are rarely sighted in first trials for Super Rugby teams but given the Wallabies got an early start to their leave after the World Cup,both the Rebels and Waratahs teams are full of star names. Eleven players who went to the World Cup will play in the trial,and 17 capped Wallabies in total.

Tupou,Leota,Gordon,Josh Kemeny,Jordan Uelese and Andrew Kellaway will all play for the Rebels,and the Waratahs have named Angus Bell,Dave Porecki,Langi Gleeson,Lalakai Foketi,and Izzy Perese.

All three episodes of the brand new Stan Original Documentary SeriesThe Wallabies - Inside Rugby World Cup 2023 premiere February 22,only on Stan.