The NSW Waratahs’ priority is to retain Wallabies stars Berrick Barnes and Wycliff Palu after seemingly nabbing Test halfback Nick Phipps from the Melbourne Rebels.
NSW captain Dave Dennis on Wednesday all but confirmed Australian rugby’s worst-kept secret when he said the acquisition of Phipps would “add a lot to us next year” after the ARU inadvertently announced the No.9’s impending move on its website on Tuesday.
Waratahs coach Michael Cheika was more coy, saying “they know it sooner than I do then” when told the ARU’s news release about Phipps briefly appeared online.
“Well, I don’t know,” Cheika said.
“I can’t talk about ifs. Once I know what’s happening officially from my end, then I can talk about that stuff.
“For us at the moment, the big thing is about retention. We’ve got several players – Berrick Barnes, Palu etc – who are in the middle. They’re not sure if they’re going away or not sure what’s happening.
“Once I know about that, I can start looking at recruitment.”
Barnes admitted he was still weighing up his options but wished the Waratahs luck in signing Phipps, whose move to Sydney could lead to former NSW halfback Luke Burgess ending up at the Rebels if granted a release from French side Toulouse on compassionate grounds.
“If he (Phipps) is coming, I’m not sure. But if he is, great. It’s good for the boys,” Barnes told AAP.
“I don’t know if I’ll be here to see it, but it’s a good thing for NSW as a state here and what Cheik is trying to do here.
“If Cheik wants him, he’s got him. Good on him and it’s good for the team.
“But this year it doesn’t matter. We’ve got three nines who are giving their bloody all.”
While his immediate focus is on getting NSW’s 2013 campaign back on track after losses to the Queensland Reds and Brumbies, Dennis is hoping former Waratahs backline ace Kurtley Beale may also follow Phipps from the Rebels to Sydney.
“Kurtley obviously grew up in NSW and spent a bit of time here and performed well here,” Dennis said.
“So if he were to come back, it would be great news for the club.
“Nick will add a lot to us next year, but we’ve got to trust in the guys who are here at the moment and get the job done this year and worry about that.”
Malo
Guest
Phipps and Beale the final straw to me never watching the tahs again. You really cant be serious.
Rob
Guest
Surely there isn't a weaker trait in international rugby, super rugby or sydney grade rugby than a Phipps box kick. Saying his pass is his weakest aspect really highlights how lowly you must think of him.
Mantis
Roar Guru
I dont think Phipps will add much to the Tahs. He is overrated. I still can't believe what happened when they signed Sarel Pretorious. He was the form 9 of the comp one year, goes to the Tahs, and does absolutely nothing. Now he is back at the Cheetahs he is firing again. If I was a Tahs fan I would be filthy at that.
Mantis
Roar Guru
Prior is a gun, hes just unlucky that White is better. I rate Prior miles ahead of Phipps
formeropenside
Guest
You did, isnt that Grayson Hart? Or doesn't he even have an Aussie grandma? And you only did that because the Saffa you hired got homesick.
Justin2
Guest
I think White will make an excellent Test 9 and could do it now. Should have got a run or three last year too. His kicking is unreal, tackles well and he puts the ball out in front consistently, probably better/quicker than Genia.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
No worries Slav. Didn't think of him tbh. Agree that he is probably the second best scrum half in Oz at the moment, mostly because others are way behind. My comment re Genia, Burgess etc was in relation to international level. I don't think White is a test n9 yet. Not in the category of Genia, Parra, A.Smith IMO. but yes, he is ahead of Phipps.
The Battered Slav
Guest
NOS, I strongly disagree. Nick White has been playing the house down for the Brumbies this year. He had a great season last year and is really kicking on this season. He has an amazing boot, takes very sensible options and gets his backline moving fairly well. He hasn't got the flashy aspects of Genia's game like the sniping around the fringes, however i think it would be difficult to argue for the inclusion of Phipps or Burgess or Prior or Stirzaker or anyone over White as Genia's understudy.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
I think it's a bit misleading, or very PC, to say that Toulouse would grant a release to Luke Burgess based on 'compassionate grounds'. He basically has lost his starting XV jersey this year, the coach Noves often preferring Doussain ( who has just signed for Three more years at the club). Would be happy to see him back in SR though as there is just no one behind Genia.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
I agree that established wallabies shouldn't go to the Waratahs, even if they are poor players, but you shouldn't lump the Reds in with them when they've done nothing of the sort. For the record I don't think established wallabies should ever leave the team they were developed in, eg Higginbotham. It just gives an incentive for a poaching merry-go-round culture to develop. The expansion teams should take unwanted players and expand Australian rugby through developing those players.
Blue Blood
Guest
To a degree I agree with you regarding developing your own Wallabies. But the movement of Wallabies to teams full of Wallabies shouldn't be allowed. Too much clustering if talent and the related $. Don't have a salary cap at all to even out the competition if you are going to allow mega ARU top up money to then be clustered together.
PJ
Guest
Phipps is usless, monumental stuff up again by Waratah magagement. The 9 they should have been chasing is stuck on the Rebels bench in Nic Stirzaker he is a Knox Old boy and would look great in the #9 for the Tahs
p.Tah
Guest
The Rebels forced Phipps' hand by recruiting Burgess. Blame the Rebels not the Tahs.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Did you read my comment or are you just being contrary? The Faingaa's weren't wallabies and Ant wasn't wanted by the Brumbies. Mooney/Link developed them into wallaby squad members. Samo was languishing around in Sydney club land before link chucked him a life line. Granted he was a Wallaby in 2004 but no other team were interested in him. Links work got him to the Wallabies again. Ditto Robinson. He wasn't even a wallaby and was dumped by NSW. He came up to QLD with no contract and was given a pub job in order to train with the Reds. Harris isn't Wallaby material, he just happened to be last man standing. Still I didn't see any other kiwi or Australian teams trying to sign him. The point stands, and is proven by your question. All those players were rejects or marked 'not good enough' by other systems and Mooney/Link developed them all into Super Rugby Champions and Wallaby squad members. Why should the Reds be penalised for this?
Markus
Guest
I'd say that if the last 2 seasons of Super Rugby are anything to go by, Australian franchises need LESS internationals in their teams to make them competitive. Having an entire Wallabies forward pack certainly hasn't helped the Waratahs in the slightest!
Bakkies
Guest
The Faingaas, Harris, Samo, Robinson were developed as juniors by the Reds?
Jiggles
Roar Guru
You'll find that every wallaby at the Reds was developed by the QRU, or Link/Mooney in the Reds, to Wallaby material. The only 'big star' to come to the Reds was Ioane, and he was a fringe Wallaby squad player at best when he moved back to the Reds, and he was also developed by the QRU. Why should the Reds be penalised for being the only Union in Australia to take junior development seriously?
Jiggles
Roar Guru
The ginger on the bench is a better half anyway. No loss to your boys.
James
Guest
As a Rebel's fan, I will be sad to see Phipps go. However, it is clear that when Nic Stirzaker is on as the replacement that Nic is faster with his passes and much faster across the ground.
Bay35Pablo
Roar Guru
"Australian rugby’s worst-kept secret" - no, the ARU's worst kept secret. Couldn't keep it under wraps until Saturday like the Tahs apparently wanted. Whoops, pressed post on the press release early .... Phipps apparently walked as the Rebs were talking to Burgo, who were talking to Burgo as Phipps was quibbling over money. However, why wasn't Burgo talking to the Tahs, who can hardly say Kibbo has nailed down his spot. 9 has been a weak spot since Whitts went. Burgo was decent, but too hot and cold. This suggests Cheiks didn't want Burgo, unless Burgo didn't want to go back to a Tahs on the rebuild (which seems strange given all the players are positive about what Cheiks has brought to the place, and he's hardly in a better spot to get a title at the Rebs). But then Cheiks has chosen Phipps (only the 2nd recruitment choice he has had input into after Chapman). I agree I have never seen how Phipps cracked a gold jersey except for a very long injury list at the Wobblies, and even then. However, I can see Kibbo and Phipps keeping each other honest under Cheiks, if they both stay. I just can't see why NSW suddenly has a problem producing decent half backs ..... oh, sorry, apart from the fact we seem to supply most other states .... :) I mean for ourselves. Perhaps we should just go grab some NPC player with an Aussie grandma. Seems all the rage ....