Why centurion Phil Waugh is one tough hombre
By Iain Payten
February 27, 2009 12:00am
THERE was a time not long ago that a broken rib kept you out for three weeks at the Waratahs.
Until Phil Waugh busted one. Then it came down to no weeks on the sideline - for everyone. The skipper had set a new standard.
"Phil had the injury a few days before our first game last year, and he played," recalls long-serving Waratahs doctor Sharon Flahive.
"It was almost like no one believed he actually had it.
"We then sustained two more (rib injuries) during the course of the season, to Tom Carter and Adam Freier, but Phil had changed the precedent.
"All of a sudden they were like 'If he can do it, I can do it'. Both those guys played as well."
It's no secret Waugh is tough. That much has been known since a young, blond flanker first appeared in senior rugby 10 years ago, all bulldog spirit and disregard for personal safety.
Little has changed since, and tonight Waugh will lead the Tahs at the SFS in his 100th Super rugby clash against the Highlanders.
It provides a moment to reflect on Waugh and ask: how tough?
Enough for an essay, surely. But the big problem with such an assignment is the lack of evidence.
There's only one time you know for sure Waugh is injured and that's when he's bleeding. You can see it. And even then the flanker will argue he's hurt, not injured.
Other times, forget it. Based on his 99 games for NSW, and 77 Tests, you won't know if Waugh is playing in pain or fresh as a daisy.
Waugh played in the 2007 Super 14 final with a torn hamstring. He played the 2005 decider with dislocated tendons in his ankle.
"He's played with multiple injuries, many times. I suppose that reflects his level of passion," says Flahive.
Ask Waugh to run through his career injuries and his response is telling: "That kept me out?"
You won't know, but if anyone does it's Flahive.
First seeing Waugh in Under-21s in 1999, Flahive joined the Tahs in 2000. She's seen all 100 games.
"You see a lot of people say, 'this is what we have got to do' but then they don't do it themselves. Phil says, 'I am going in this direction, follow me' and the players respond," Flahive says.
Only 29, Waugh jokes he feels his impending century of games when walking "up and down the stairs", before saying he is keen to go on. He's off contract next year.
"I feel pretty good at the moment, but I guess that can change pretty quickly in rugby."
Not that he would tell you.
