Ex-Wallabies Foley, Phipps rejoin Waratahs ahead of home World Cup
The veteran halves return with 147 combined Test caps as the Waratahs seek leadership after an eighth-place finish and a coaching vacancy.
- On Thursday, the New South Wales Waratahs signed flyhalf Bernard Foley and scrumhalf Nick Phipps for the 2027 season, reuniting the halfback pairing that won the team's sole Super Rugby title 12 years ago.
- Returning to Sydney after five seasons in Japan, the pair made their debuts together in 2011. Foley led the Kubota Spears to their first-ever League One title in 2023, while Phipps played four seasons with Green Rockets Tokatsu.
- Boasting 253 Super Rugby appearances and 147 Test caps combined, the veterans bring significant experience. High-performance director Barrie-Jon Mather said, "They have a deep understanding of what it means to represent the Waratahs and they know what it takes to build a winning environment."
- Following a player exodus that saw young flyhalf Jack Bowen depart, the club seeks a 'world-class coach' after Dan McKellar resigned in June with one year remaining on his contract.
- Foley, 36, reportedly aims to press his case for an international comeback at the home World Cup. The signing positions the veteran to guide a backline featuring Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Max Jorgernsen in 2027.
17 Articles
17 Articles
Cheika comeback firms as possibility after Foley and Phipps return to Tahs
Six years after they left, veterans Bernard Foley and Nick Phipps are back at the NSW Waratahs. But it is a very different club to the one they left.
Waratahs go back to the future with Foley, Phipps signings
Ex-Wallabies Foley, Phipps rejoin Waratahs ahead of home World Cup
The pair, who steered the Waratahs to their maiden Super Rugby title in 2014 under coach Michael Cheika, reunite seven years after they last took the field together. Their return to the Sydney-based side where both made their debuts in 2011 comes barely a year out from a home World Cup. Fly-half Foley, who has played 76 Tests, the last in 2022, is reportedly keen to press his case to make an international comeback for the global showpiece. "I'm …
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