PHIPPS EXTENDS COMMITMENT TO AUSTRALIAN RUGBY
Qantas Wallabies and New South Wales Waratahs scrumhalf Nick Phipps has signed a two-year contract extension with Australian Rugby that will take him through until the end of the 2017 season.
The 25-year-old has played 28 Tests and played in all 14 Test matches featuring Australia during the 2014 international calendar.
Phipps maintained his starting position in all Test matches since the Qantas Wallabies’ thrilling 24-23 win over the Springboks in the 2014 Castrol Edge Rugby Championship.
After a series of standout performances in the Shute Shield competition, Phipps made his Super Rugby debut with the Melbourne Rebels in 2011, where he won the Club’s inaugural Players’ Player Award, and Australian Super Rugby Rookie of the Year Award.
Following a three-year term at the newly launched franchise, Phipps returned to his home State of New South Wales in 2013 and helped guide the Waratahs to a maiden Asteron Life Super Rugby title in 2014, and earned a Test recall.
“Representing your country is the ultimate honour. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity by the Australian Rugby Union and the Waratahs to continue my passion to wear the gold jersey,” said Phipps.
“There are some outstanding halfbacks in Australian Rugby at the moment, which is fantastic for the game. We’re always challenging each other for that number 9 jersey, which really drives us to succeed and helps us improve as players.
“I’m looking forward to working hard over the next few months and achieving my goal of being selected for next year’s Rugby World Cup squad.”
Qantas Wallabies coach Michael Cheika congratulated Phipps on his new deal.
“Nick has made a real impact in the past 12 months at a provincial and national level and he is still improving his game. 2015 will be a great opportunity for Nick and we are really happy that he has decided to play his Rugby in Australia for the 2016 and 2017 seasons,” Cheika said.
“Nick is someone who is prepared to do whatever it takes to make things happen and I am sure we will see that from him over the next three seasons.”
Phipps made his debut for Australia against Samoa in 2011 and became the third Wallaby in his family, following in the footsteps of his grandfather and great uncle (both named Jim).
Phipps went on to make his Rugby World Cup debut against Russia at the 2011 Rugby World Cup and played in two Tests against the British & Irish Lions in 2013.
Entering his fifth professional season, Phipps’ career stats include 17 out of 28 starting Tests for the Qantas Wallabies with 20 (four tries) points, as well as 64 Super Rugby caps and 45 points (9 tries).
Before his Qantas Wallabies debut, Phipps represented Australia in Rugby Sevens in 2009-10, including a Silver Medal at the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games.
Nick Phipps – Wallaby No. 850
Height: 1.80m
Weight: 85kg
Born: 09/01/1989 – Sydney, NSW
Province: NSW Waratahs
Test Caps: 28
Test Points: 20
Test Debut: 20011 v Samoa, Sydney
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