Thats not how it works.
You get injured, someone replaces you, you recover and then you have to win your spot back absent at least one bad game from the incumbent.
Usually works that way.
BTW - I do not rate Foley as a long/medium term test 10, but that's not the point.
Really? Do you watch professional sport. That's generally exactly how it works.
So you just Stephen Bradbury into a position and coaches hold the better player to a higher standard?
Players should obviously not keep a position on reputation but if the options are let the more talented players work his way back in and settle back into the position because his ceiling is the highest, or let the "incumbent" continue to work his way into the position even though his ceiling is lower and he hasn't shown to be a better player?
Obviously that's hypothetical based on all else being equal (which it isn't) and there may be completely valid reasons to it. But you don't know them any more than I.
a week ago the Foley supporters we admitting he was a lesser option to Cooper but his goal kicking was critical. Now after one game he apparently is better.