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.
“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.”
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Based purely on White's last test, I can't agree. He come on against the All Blacks and scored a try (maybe it was two)? And kicked a long range penalty to win the match.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
I think it was 2014, when Genia was injured. White went overseas the same year as Genia unfortunately!
riddler
Roar Rookie
I remember one season where one would start and the other would come on and play great and then vice versa. Referring to White and Phipps. The year that Genia was at Stade or was injured, not sure which.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I personally feel Phipps offered a bit more as an impact sub. Where as I’d prefer White as a starter. That said Cheika was never interested in finding out what White could offer.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Phipps played his best rugby back then, for sure. Even back in 2015, in my opinion, Nic White was the correct call. White basically won us the game against the All Blacks in 2015 with his performance off the bench. At international level, has Phipps ever taken a match into his own hands and through his own performance gotten the team over the line? I certainly never remember it, and it certainly has never happened against the All Blacks.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Phipps was good in 2015 but Cheika has kept him as 2nd choice for 3 seasons too long.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Or maybe they consider he’s playing Championship/Premiership, not against test teams?
egbert
Guest
Absolutely. For once the exodus to Europe does Australian rugby good.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
See, I would have said the opposite. An average ageing international halfback keeping younger players from developing compared to a younger and improving player. Personally, I hope both do well, but I think that Rona is probably the bigger loss to Australian rugby at this stage of their careers.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Phipps has been a great servant at the Tahs, loved his cover defence, energy and yap and we wouldn't have won in 2014 without him. Now will look forward to Gordon developing further, have been a long time fan. As for Rona would have liked him to have stayed I'm actually a fan and think he could develop into a good 13. Anyway Great opportunity for them both.
graymatter
Roar Rookie
Hard but fair and accurate
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Phipps is a loss to Aussie rugby, Rona is not. Good luck to both.
ClassAct
Guest
Those poor sods at London Irish obviously haven’t watched too many full games from Phipps otherwise they would have stayed well clear of ‘England’s best player on the 2016 tour’. Wonderful news for Australian Rugby. All we are waiting on now is Chieka and Hanigan booking theor flights and to fulfil the exodus - Hooper to have his contract bought out by a Chinese club
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
You mean Will Skelton’s fitness that did improve from 2013 to 2015? But then declined after an injury affected pre-season?
AndyS
Guest
Go down that path, I wonder how long they would bother appearing. If most of their money comes from an overseas club, why would they put that in peril without a really big incentive? My bet is that if the Wallabies effectively became overseas based, they would be arguing that most of the earnings from the games are theirs by right.
Boomeranga
Guest
I wonder if we aren't better off letting overseas clubs pay for the wallabies and just funding a decent NRC, club and grassroots system with the Wallabies appearance fees.
Red Block
Roar Rookie
One of the biggest blights on Australian rugby is that players in Oz at the elite level don't really improve that much once they get there. Whether that is Quade Cooper's tackling, Will Skelton's fitness or Nick Phipp's passing, all seem to make the big time and stay static and aren't placed under enough pressure to move themselves forward. Or is that the player power is so strong that coaches are afraid to tell them how it is?
Adsa
Roar Rookie
tahs should throw some serious cash at him Paul he would be handy for tahs roster and also keep him in Oz after world cup.
Sinclair Whitbourne
Roar Rookie
For all his flaws, Phipps was a terrific competitor and never gave less than everything. Hope the move goes well. I think he was a better half back than he was a cow at a bar in Sydney but at least he won't die wondering.Feel like we didn't see Rona deliver to his full potential, but maybe he will come back an even better player. It would be nice to see Nic White come back to balance the ledger a bit, but I wonder if he will await a change of management here (and the end of his contract?).
The Doc
Roar Guru
Good luck to both. Not a bad outcome really. Great if Phipps would swap with nic white/ really impressed with him in England club rugby