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Returning Wallaby 'desperate' to push for World Cup honours
The Wallabies were preparing to fly out to France ahead of their end-of-season tour last year when disaster struck for one of their star forwards.
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Melbourne Rebels lock Matt Philip, who has played 27-Test matches in Wallaby gold, was sidelined with a significant knee injury after an incident at training.
With the Rugby World Cup about one year away, it was a cruel blow for both the second-rower and the Wallabies – a team who were trying to find their identity after a tough Rugby Championship.
But after months of “hard work” and “pretty dark” times, Philip is back.
“The day we were going on last year’s Spring Tour, unfortunately, I had that knee incident. It’s been a tough seven months or something now,” Philip told reporters on Thursday.
“A lot of hard work and I’m feeling really confident in my body now.
“I’ve got to put that nostalgia a little bit behind me and do and do a job this weekend, I can’t dwell on it too much. I’m stoked to be back involved.”
As confirmed by the Wallabies on Thursday morning, Philip has been named on the bench for the Wallabies’ first Test on Australian soil in 2023 against Los Pumas.
Philip has shown incredible resilience and passion throughout his journey back to the Wallabies, but an opportunity to represent Australia on the biggest stage in rugby awaits.
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With a World Cup just around the corner, the 29-year-old is “desperate” to rewrite his own history by being on the plane to France this time around.
“I’m desperate to be back in that World Cup squad, like everyone,” Philip added.
“First thing’s first, this weekend is (about) getting a win against Argentina, that’s all I can focus on.
“I’m experienced enough… I feel ready to go, I can lean on that experience, it’s not my first Test match. I’ll be using past lessons to prepare myself for this game.”
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The Wallabies are just a couple of days away from a crucial challenge against Michael Cheika’s Argentina side on Saturday evening.
Australia began their new era under coach Eddie Jones with a disastrous defeat to South Africa in Pretoria last weekend – they’ll be eager to bounce back in front of their home fans.
With the World Cup less than two months away, they have to.
During a press conference on Thursday morning, coach Eddie Jones spoke about the “Wallaby way.” It’s the style of play that the Australians are trying to identify with before flying to France.
Philip said that while the players know what that looks like, they’re still trying to figure out how that works for them across the next few Tests.
“We’re trying to go back to that Australian brand of running rugby, which is really exciting for us because that’s what we grew up watching, it’s a little bit of how they used to play back in the early 2000s.
“We do know what it looks like but it’s also learning how to do that on the run.”
The Wallabies take on Argentina at Sydney’s CommBank Stadium at 7.45 pm AEST on Saturday evening.
Comments on RugbyPass
Crusaders went all in to buy Hotham and Kemara staight from Hamilton Boys. Then they picked up Reihana and Hohepa; all have been dropped for superstar Havili, who is a very good fullback, that’s it. Ennor and Goodhue were schoolboy stars too but went backwards at the Crusaders. Maybe they have finally decided to give another poach Levi Aumua the ball?
10 Go to commentsJoe S has some talent to pick from. The Reds loosies look the best in Super? Aus might just give Razor a headache this year. Int. experience v Cantab greenhorn:) Should be fun.
10 Go to commentsEnd to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
10 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to commentsGreat wins for the male & female kiwi sides. Ireland not far away..
1 Go to commentsWhy is this dude getting so much coverage? Usually knobs like this get cancelled.
2 Go to commentsWow. What was that? A 3 million word meandering article about what exactly?
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