Nick Phipps returns for Waratahs against Queensland Reds

Halfback Nick Phipps will make his first appearance of the season after being named on the NSW bench to face the Reds.

Waratahs halfback Nick Phipps has proved his fitness in the Shute Shield and will return to action from the NSW bench against the Reds. Picture: Getty Images

Wallabies halfback Nick Phipps will make his first appearance of the Super Rugby season after being named on the NSW bench for Saturday night’s clash with Queensland in Sydney.

Phipps has been frustrated by a nagging calf injury but will get game time at the SCG as the Waratahs chase a fourth-straight win. The No 9 convinced coach Daryl Gibson he was finally ready for a call-up with an impressive hat-trick in Sydney University’s 36-12 Shute Shield win against Parramatta last Saturday.

“It’s been a long, hard road for him. He’s had six to eight weeks of nearly being there and he’s finally passed fit,” Gibson said yesterday. “He had a good trot last week with Sydney Uni and I think he’s ready.”

Otherwise unchanged from last week’s 50-29 bonus-point victory over the Sunwolves in Tokyo, the Waratahs have an ­opportunity to complete a rare season sweep over their Australian conference rivals having ­already beaten the Brumbies and Melbourne Rebels.

Not that Gibson reckons the Tahs — who trail the conference-leading Rebels by a point on the table — need any extra incentive to topple the Reds.

“There’s no real added motivation needed for this week. It’s a game the boys are really excited to get the opportunity to play.”

Despite their good start, Gibson said the Waratahs were far from the finished product.

“Defensively we still are conceding far too many tries, particularly putting a lot of pressure on ourselves through our own poor ball control at times,” he said.

AAP