Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
NSW Waratahs are close to bringing Bernard Foley and Nick Phipps back to Sydney on reported one-year contracts for the 2027 Super Rugby Pacific season, seven years after both experienced players moved overseas.
Bernard Foley, 36, would strengthen the fly-half position and reopen the possibility of a Wallabies return before the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. Nick Phipps, 37, is being lined up as cover for Jake Gordon following the captain’s Achilles injury.
The possible deals arrive as the Wallabies prepare for their next Test, with Australia targeting an Italy victory to spare Joe Schmidt a record low.
Premiership Halves Set for Reunion
Bernard Foley and Nick Phipps were central to the NSW Waratahs’ 2014 Super Rugby title and Australia’s run to the 2015 Rugby World Cup final. Their reunion would bring an experienced halves pairing back to Allianz Stadium.
Bernard Foley is the NSW Waratahs’ record points scorer with 1089 and sits ninth on the club’s appearance list with 120 matches. His defining moment came in the 2014 final, when he landed a 45-metre penalty in the 79th minute to secure a one-point victory over the Crusaders.
The title remains the NSW Waratahs’ only Super Rugby championship. Bernard Foley’s role in that campaign is detailed in an official NSW Rugby review of his career.
Bernard Foley has played 76 Tests and last represented Australia in 2022. He later made 88 appearances for Kubota Spears and helped the Japanese club win its first League One title in 2023.
Nick Phipps owns 72 Test caps, with his last Wallabies appearance coming in 2019. The halfback spent four seasons with London Irish before joining NEC Green Rockets in Japan.
NSW Waratahs Begin Rebuild
The proposed signings follow Dan McKellar’s resignation and the departure of nine players after the NSW Waratahs finished eighth with a 5-9 record.
Jack Debreczeni, Jack Bowen and Lawson Creighton have departed after playing at fly-half, while Michael McDonald has also left. Nick Phipps could support young halfbacks Teddy Wilson and Angus Grover during a rebuilding season.
