Waratahs Nick Phipps, Curtis Rona to leave Super Rugby for England
NSW Waratahs have been struck a double blow, with a pair of Wallabies to make the switch to England at the end of the season, signalling the end of their Super Rugby careers.
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Wallabies Nick Phipps and Curtis Rona have both signed for English club London Irish for next season, signalling the end of their Super Rugby careers.
Both NSW Waratahs players have signed two-year deals with London Irish and will join the club later this year after the World Cup.
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“It was a really tough decision to make the move away from NSW,” halfback Phipps said.
“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.”
Rona, the former NRL player who joined the Tahs via Western Force, said the move would not detract from his 2019 Super Rugby efforts.
“My focus at the moment is to further improve my game and help our team achieve success in Super Rugby this year,” Rona said.
“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.
“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.”
London Irish are coached by former Australian league international and Tahs assistant coach Les Kiss.
Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson said it was inevitable experienced Australian players would head overseas in a World Cup year.
“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,” Gibson said.
“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.”
Playmaker Bernard Foley, who is off contract after the World Cup, is another Waratah expected to head overseas after being linked to English clubs.
Phipps, Rona, Foley and most of the other Waratahs internationals sat out Friday’s trial match in Otago, which the Highlanders won 59-38.
NSW centre Lalakai Foketi scored a hat-trick while Cameron Clark, JP Sauni and Jake Gordon also crossed, but they were overrun at the back end of the game.
The Tahs play their second trial against the Brumbies in Goulburn next Thursday, before kicking off their Super Rugby season against the Hurricanes at Brookvale Oval on February 16.
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