NSW Waratahs halfback Nick Phipps under pressure from mate Jake Gordon

NICK Phipps is out of form and short of confidence, and now one of his mates could take his Waratahs starting spot.

NICK Phipps is clearly struggling and his starting position as Waratahs halfback is now in jeopardy, with close friend and clubmate Jake Gordon threatening to displace him.

While Phipps has been unable to spark NSW’s attack — clearly missing halves partner Bernard Foley — and his kicking game is off, he also seems to be a victim of the team’s wayward tactics.

It was blatantly clear that the Tahs took their eyes off the breakdown against the Brumbies last weekend, failing to secure their own ball and piling uneccessary pressure on 52-Test Wallaby Phipps.

The way Phipps admonished himself after being hooked early in the second half for Gordon told a tale of personal and wider frustration.

But 23-year-old has been piling pressure on Phipps from the pre-season, and after three successive losses NSW coach Daryl Gibson may decide to throw the young pup his starting chance.

Jake Gordon is angling for the Waratahs halfback spot.

“Nick’s a really good mate of mine, I don’t really think of it like that,” said Gordon, who scored his first Super Rugby try after replacing Phipps.

“He’s the ultimate competitor, trains so hard, plays really hard, I think he’ll bounce back and be really good next week.

“It’s being ready whenever the opportunity comes, we’re all mates in the backline, we’re all really good friends.

“You don’t hope that that sort stuff happens, you just want to get better as a collective.”

Phipps, Gordon and Matt Lucas are all vying for the blue No.9 jersery.

“I’d love to think all three of us are really close, we’re all very competitive, I’ve been told we’re all quite close,” Gordon said.

Rival franchises have already taken an interest in Gordon and he will be fielding a few offers for next season and beyond.

“I grew up in NSW, I want to play the rest of my footy here,” Gordon said.

“I’m not worrying about the uncontrollable, I’m just worrying about playing good footy at the moment.”

Originally published as NSW Waratahs halfback Nick Phipps under pressure from mate Jake Gordon