Veteran playmakers Bernard Foley and Nick Phipps are set to return to the New South Wales Waratahs, seven years after last representing the state in Super Rugby. The pair, who were instrumental in the Waratahs’ sole Super Rugby title win in 2014, have reportedly agreed to one-year contracts, bolstering the team’s experience in key positions.
A Storied Partnership Rekindled
Bernard Foley, 36, and Nick Phipps, 37, are poised to don the Waratahs’ blue jersey once again. Their return marks a significant moment for the franchise, bringing back the halves combination that led NSW to its historic Super Rugby championship a decade ago. Both players recently concluded stints playing in Japan, with Foley having spent six successful years with the Kubota Spears, even captaining them to the League One premiership in the 2022-23 season and leading the competition in points scored. Phipps also played in Japan for the Green Rockets Tokatsu, following a spell with London Irish.
Sources close to the negotiations indicate that both Foley and Phipps are expected to sign one-year deals. Their return comes after a period of significant change for the Waratahs, including the recent resignation of head coach Dan McKellar. Despite this, Foley had been in discussions with the club since May, and the coaching transition did not derail the potential comeback.
Filling Key Roles and Mentoring Young Talent
The Waratahs have faced a reshuffling of their playmaking stocks. The departure of several experienced players, including Lawson Creighton, Jack Bowen, and Jack Debreczeni, has created opportunities. Foley’s recruitment is seen as a strategic move to inject immediate experience and leadership into the fly-half position. While the team has Max Burey and Joey Fowler as other No. 10 options, Foley is anticipated to be the primary pivot, leveraging his extensive history with the club and his proven ability to perform under pressure.
On the scrum-half front, an Achilles tendon injury to incumbent Jake Gordon during the Waratahs’ final game of the previous season has created a pressing need. While Teddy Wilson is part of the squad, and highly-rated Junior Wallabies halfback Angus Grover (19) is developing, the addition of Phipps provides crucial depth and experience for the initial part of the upcoming season. Phipps, who switched from the Melbourne Rebels to the Waratahs in 2013, played 87 Super Rugby games for NSW, while Foley amassed 119 caps over nine seasons.
A Look Back and a Look Forward
Foley and Phipps were stalwarts for the Waratahs, also featuring prominently for the Wallabies with a combined 148 Test caps between them. Their last appearance for NSW was in 2019, before they embarked on overseas playing careers. Their return to Australian rugby, particularly in a Rugby World Cup year, has generated excitement.
Foley himself expressed enthusiasm about a potential comeback in a recent interview. “I think it’s a really exciting year to be back in Australian rugby, if it does eventuate,” he stated. “Just the hype around the game leading into a home World Cup, and being able to contribute and help the Waratahs, that’s what sort of excited me about the opportunity.”
Club and Rugby Australia Perspectives
Rugby Australia boss Phil Waugh, who now oversees the Waratahs following Rugby Australia’s takeover of the franchise in 2023, highlighted the value Foley’s experience brings. “He’s a winning Waratah, he’s a winning Wallaby, and he’d certainly be very attractive to have in the environment,” Waugh commented. He emphasized that Foley’s presence would be beneficial not only for the younger playmakers but also for incoming players like Angus Crichton, who is returning to rugby after a period away.
Waugh acknowledged past challenges in retaining homegrown talent, particularly young fly-halves who have progressed through the Waratahs’ system but have since moved on. He noted the franchise’s commitment to investing in coaching and development pathways to foster player retention. “We’ve acknowledged and recognised that we need to continue to develop our players and we need to develop them in our system, and we want to retain those players as they come through,” Waugh said. “You can’t retain all of them, but we’re making a pretty conscious decision to invest in coaching and invest in the pathways so we have more good talent coming through and choosing to play rugby in Australia.”
Broader Rugby Landscape
In related news, Ben Donaldson, a fly-half who previously played for the Waratahs and is now with the Western Force, is reportedly set to be fit for the Wallabies’ upcoming match against Italy in Perth. Donaldson had been sidelined with a calf injury, missing the Test against France. Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt indicated that Donaldson would need to train fully to be considered for selection.
The return of Foley and Phipps signals a strategic decision by the Waratahs to blend proven experience with emerging talent, aiming to build a more competitive and stable team for the future. Their history with the club and their championship pedigree are expected to provide a significant boost to the squad’s morale and performance.
