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Wallabies duo confirm plans to move north

1st February, 2019
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Curtis Rona of Waratahs scores a try during a match between Jaguares and Waratahs as part of fourth round of Super Rugby at Jose Amalfitani Stadium on March 10, 2018 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Photo by Gabriel Rossi/Getty Images)
1st February, 2019
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Waratahs Nick Phipps and Curtis Rona will both leave for the northern hemisphere come the end of the 2019 Super Rugby season.

The pair have both signed two year deals with English club London-Irish.

Phipps said the decision to the leave NSW had been a difficult one, but that the timing was right to make the move.

“It was a really tough decision to make the move away from New South Wales. I’ve loved my time in the sky blue jersey and I’ve got so much pride for the teams I’ve been lucky enough to represent, from schoolboys to club as well as for the State and the Wallabies,” said Phipps.

“I wouldn’t be in this position without the people that I’ve met and that have helped me along the way. All the volunteers, the coaches, the administrators, they have all supported me and I couldn’t be more thankful.

“It’s a really big year ahead with the NSW Waratahs and the Wallabies though, so I’m solely focused on throwing everything I’ve got into this Super Rugby season.

“I’ll take some amazing memories with me but I felt that the time was right for my family and I to make the move overseas to try a different playing style and immerse ourselves into a different culture.”

Like Phipps, Rona made it clear that although he would be leaving the Waratahs at the end of the year, his top priority was to focus on achieving team success in 2019.

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“My focus at the moment is to further improve my game and help our team achieve success in Super Rugby this year. I am excited about the season ahead because I know what we are capable of. I cannot wait for our first competition game and see a full house at Brookvale Oval,” said Rona.

“I have made many friendships through this awesome game and gained a lot of experience working with some of the best coaches and playing with the best in Australia.

“I feel I am a better player from when I first started, I have learnt a lot but I am at a stage of my career where I have been offered the opportunity to take my young family to a new environment. I would like to thank everyone in the NSW Rugby community for their support during my time here.”

Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson paid tribute to both players, thanking them for their service and praising their development while playing for NSW.

“Nick has been a loyal servant of the game and he has made an immense contribution to rugby in the State. He is a leader in our environment and someone who has tremendous pride in representing NSW,” said Gibson.

“Curtis is a player who is also eager to learn and he has grown tremendously. He offers a team versatility and will continue to learn more as his career progresses. Both players go with our best wishes as they embark on the next chapter of their careers and experience for their families.”

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