The likelyhood of Luke Burgess going to France is firming more every day. A report in the Oz this morning says Tahs are looking at bringing Nick Phipps back next season
. I would have thought Phipps had a longer contract at the Rebels. He played well on the weekend and would do battle with McKibbin and possibly Grayson Hart. I noticed Hart was selected for the JW and I wonder whether Lee Grant can tell us how he went.
NSW looking at Nick Phipps to shore up key playmaking role
Bret Harris From: The Australian March 07, 2011
THE Waratahs are eyeing off Melbourne Rebels halfback Nick Phipps as a replacement for France-bound Wallabies No 9 Luke Burgess.
With Burgess set to join French club Toulouse, the Waratahs are looking at their halfback options for next year.
A member of the Australian silver medal-winning sevens team at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, Phipps was the first Rebel to be selected in a Wallabies squad, touring Europe last November.
But if Phipps returned to NSW, where he played for Sydney University, he would have to compete with the highly regarded Brendan McKibbin for the sky blue No 9 jersey.
"We'll have a look around to see what halfbacks are in the market," NSW coach Chris Hickey said.
"There's not a lot coming off contract. Nick Phipps is one of a number of players we'll look at."
Wallabies hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau is close to re-signing with the ARU and the Waratahs.
It is understood there will be an official announcement this week.
"Taf has given us a commitment that if he finalises his negotiations with the ARU, he'll stay with the Waratahs," Hickey said. "He's not going anywhere."
But Hickey was less certain about when Polota-Nau, who injured a knee in the Waratahs' 33-18 loss to the Crusaders in Nelson last Friday, would play again.
Polota-Nau will have an MRI scan today to determine the extent of the damage.
If he only has posterior cruciate ligament damage, Polota-Nau is expected to continue playing, but if it is anterior cruciate ligament damage, he would require reconstructive surgery.
The Waratahs will have their fingers crossed it is the former.
The momentum of the game changed when Polota-Nau hobbled off midway through the first half and the Waratahs' scrum disintegrated. Outside centre Rob Horne, who did not return for the second half after aggravating an elbow injury, will also have an MRI scan today. "We'll see what the scans show and take it from there," Hickey said.
Although he came off in the 61st minute, Waratahs captain and openside flanker Phil Waugh did not suffer further damage to his injured biceps muscle.
The Waratahs have a bye this weekend before hosting the Cheetahs in Sydney on Saturday week.
Hickey said he would use the bye to "reconsider all selections".
"It's a long season and we have to look at player management," he said. "It could be an opportunity for some players to get more game time and others less.
"If you are in the 22, it means you are a good player. We may start with some of those bench players. At this stage we really don't know."
One bench player who will be pressing strongly for a starting spot is Wallabies loosehead prop Benn Robinson.
Robinson has started off the bench in the Waratahs' first three games because he was recovering from a calf muscle injury, but they will need his scrummaging expertise, particularly if Polota-Nau is out.
Five-eighth Berrick Barnes will also return to the starting team after a week off with concussion.
Barnes' replacement, Daniel Halangahu, was so disappointing against the Crusaders, particularly in defence, the Waratahs may have to play fullback Kurtley Beale at five-eighth if Barnes is injured again.
Hickey will see how Barnes and Beale kick at training before deciding who will do the goal-kicking against the Cheetahs.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/new...-playmaking-role/story-e6frg7o6-1226016763166
