Sydney University Football Club halfback Nick Phipps has re-signed with the Australian Rugby Union and NSW Waratahs until the end of 2019.
By signing a two-year extension, 28-year-old Phipps has the chance to push for selection for a third World Cup, having been in the Australian squads for the 2011 tournament in New Zealand, where the Wallabies finished third, and the 2015 tournament in England, where they finished second. Japan will host the 2019 World Cup.
Phipps has 52 Test caps. He played in 13 of the Wallabies 15 Tests in 2016, sharing the number nine jersey with Will Genia. He also earned his 50th cap for the Waratahs last season.
“New South Wales is where I was born and where I grew up. It means a lot to me, as it does to a lot of the boys in the team, to pull on the Waratahs jersey and represent our home state,” Phipps said.
“The season ahead is really exciting. We’ve got a good mix of players, new energy and experienced leaders, so I’m looking forward to continue to come together as a team and see where we can go.
“I’m also really excited at the opportunity to potentially represent my country again this season. I really enjoyed the environment of the squad last year, especially the experience of bringing up my 50th cap on the Spring Tour.
“The Wallabies squad is continuing to grow and I want to be playing some good footy for the Tahs so that I’ll have the best chance to run out in the gold jersey later this year.”
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said Phipp’s dedication to NSW and Australian rugby has been outstanding over the past five years. “That is why we were so keen for him to stay and play his rugby in Australia,” he said. “He’s just coming into his prime years as a rugby player so his best is yet to come.
“That’s what this decision is about, playing the best rugby of his career in Australia and for Australia.”
