We’ve all heard about the Test stars who head overseas, but rarely does it happen the other way when Aussie rugby manages to lure one home.
But days after 25-year-old playmaker Noah Lolesio officially left for Japan, 31-Test Wallaby Matt Philip followed the lead of Nic White ahead of the 2019 World Cup by returning home in the hope of being a part of Australian rugby’s big three years.
“For me, it’s playing for the Waratahs in front of my family and friends,” explained the second-rower, having signed on with Dan McKellar’s NSW side after two seasons in Japan.
“Secondly, a home World Cup is huge. The last time we had a World Cup was something that got me passionate and motivated about rugby when I was young, so to be a part of that makes it an easy decision to come back.”
As forecast, the 31-year-old signed a multi-year deal with the Waratahs and will return home to Sydney following this year’s Japanese League One campaign with Yokohama Cannon Eagles.
It comes after a two-year stint with the Eagles, where the lock was a mainstay in a side that features Springboks World Cup-winning pair Faf de Klerk and Jesse Kriel.
It means Philip, who last appeared for the Wallabies at the 2023 World Cup in France, will be available to be called upon by Joe Schmidt for the three-match Test series against the Lions, which gets underway on July 19 in Brisbane.
Before then though, could a maiden Waratahs jersey be handed to him to face the Lions in Sydney on July 5 in a bid to press his Test claims?
“I want to finish strong here, but once that’s over, if there’s the potential for me to be selected for the Waratahs against the Lions, I’d be more than keen to pull on the jersey,” Philip told reporters on Sunday following the Eagles’ 33-22 win over Samu Kerevi and Israel Folau’s D-Rocks on Saturday.
Although Philip isn’t likely to be a walk-up starter against the Lions, his decision to return home will provide a welcome boost to Schmidt’s growing stocks in the second-row.
Matt Philip has signed with the Waratahs in a boost to Australian rugby’s second-row stocks. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Indeed, his signing comes after Jeremy Williams, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Nick Frost re-signed earlier this year.
It also comes off the back of Darcy Swain’s growth at the Western Force, while Reds locks Ryan Smith, Angus Blyth and Jeremy Williams have also shown good form throughout the season.
World Cup captain and French-based star Will Skelton has also recently expressed his desire to pull on the gold jersey against the Lions, having featured on last year’s end of season tour under Schmidt.
While the 199cm, 115kg isn’t the biggest lock on the international stage, the Northern Beaches junior’s strong work rate, lineout prowess and ability at the rolling maul will offer Wallabies selectors another strong option.
“Matt’s an experienced and proven Test player and to have him return to Australian rugby is great for the depth across the system,” Rugby Australia high performance director Peter Horne said.
“It’s encouraging to see players currently overseas recognise the opportunities on the horizon in Australian rugby and express their desire to represent the gold jersey on home soil.”
Philip’s return is also a massive boost for the Waratahs, who have unsuccessfully relied on hybrid loose-forwards since Skelton moved on in 2017.
It’s also a boost for Dan McKellar, who built one of the best tight-five packs in Super Rugby at the Brumbies before moving to the Wallabies in 2022.
Matt Philip says he’s excited to play for his home state in Super Rugby. (Photo by Adam Pretty – World Rugby via Getty Images)
Indeed, McKellar was instrumental in not only luring Frost back to the Brumbies, but keeping the rising talent at the club after Japanese powerhouse, the Panasonic Wild Knights, threw big money at the youngster.
He also brought back Cadeyrn Neville to Australian rugby while developing Swain and other talents like Tom Hooper.
“This is good news,” said McKellar.
“I coached against Matty when he was with the Force and the Rebels and I had the pleasure of working with him at Wallaby level over a couple of years.
“He is a good quality experienced lock and a Sydney boy who’s incredibly passionate about the Waratahs and the sky-blue jersey and it’s been a dream of his to play for NSW.
“It’s really nice to see that he’ll be able to play for his home state in front of his family and friends when he’s back for the 2026 season.”
Philip, who debuted against Japan in 2017 and came off the bench twice during the 2023 World Cup, said McKellar had made it clear what he expected.
“He’s really clear on what he sees my role is around set-piece, lineout, maul, defensively and those tight carries,” Philip said.
“I really thought I got better when I was coached by Dan before, so that was an easy decision to come back and be coached by Dan.”
As for his conversations with Schmidt, the former Rebels and Force lock said he had spoken with the outgoing Wallabies coach but there were no guarantees.
“I spoke with Joe briefly towards the end of last year and this year about this whole move about coming back home, so if the opportunity comes, I’ll obviously grab it with both hands,” he said.
“I feel like my body and game is in a really good place.
“Playing in Japan, as an international capped player, there’s a lot expected of you to play every match, big minutes, so I’ve had to keep my body in a good place. If the opportunity comes, I feel like I could do the job.”
