If the hapless ’Tahs are putting the 2014 band back together, don’t stop at Foley and Phipps
Idea
The news that Bernard Foley and Nick Phipps will return to the Waratahs next season has sparked predictable reactions this week.
The next transfer needs to be Cliffy Palu. Bring back Jacques Potgieter. Where is Jeremy Tilse?
Pick one member of the Waratahs’ title-winning squad in 2014 and his name appeared in the comments this week. It was an understandable reflex from the rugby world, given that Foley and Phipps were the stars of that side and were on the descent towards 40.
But blue-blooded fans had another understandable response: What do these signings say about the pathways and talent development at the Rugby Australia-owned Waratahs?
The anger is justified and somewhat misplaced. Signing the pair is a good deal given the circumstances, but how the Waratahs and RA got themselves into this position is an amateur league affair.
Phipps came on as an 11th-hour substitute in the final round, following Jake Gordon’s injury that will sideline him for the first third of 2027 and the decision to leave Michael McDonald in the squad as a third halfback. Rumors of Teddy Wilson leaving are false, he has re-signed for next season.
Under the terms of his contract, the Tahs will promote 19-year-old halfback Angus Grover from the academy to the main squad in 2027 and although he is a promising Junior Wallaby, it is still too early in his career for the physicality of Super Rugby. This risk arose with Gordon’s injury. Hence Phipps.
Foley’s return follows two other roster moves at No.10.
Impressed by his Super Rugby AU form for the Force, then Wararatahs coach Dan McKellar signed Max Burey in January for 2027 and through his contract, Sydney University’s rising number 10 Joey Fowler was also promoted from the academy to the main squad for 2027. Fowler, 21, was eighth in line for the Junior Wallabies in the previous two seasons.
Burey, 27, is a Tahs youngster and Norths utility player who played 37 Super Rugby matches, primarily off the bench, over four seasons with the Force.
This left a gap of just five-eighths at the Tahs and with the retirement of Jack Debreczeni, Foley was targeted by McKellar as an experienced playmaker for both playing and mentoring.
Problem? This left no room for 22-year-old Jack Bowen, who spent four seasons at the Tahs but was given few opportunities. At the end of the season he played 17 matches and started five of them. For the most part, Bowen capitalized on these chances and finished the year in the Tahs’ top 10.
The East center also became the fifth five-eighth player to feature in the Shute Shield in several seasons.
But on Friday, Bowen was released and bid farewell by the Waratahs. He is looking at overseas options.
Somehow, after years of development and investment, the Waratahs have once again pushed out the home-grown five-eighths of NSW.
But surprisingly, Bowen is the last on the long list. In 2023 the Waratahs had Will Harrison, Ben Donaldson, Tane Edmed and Bowen on the books. Four years later they are all gone.
Each case has its own story, but the Waratahs’ negligence in allowing NSW playmakers to leave in their early 20s is a constant theme.
It’s time to stop the bleeding, and that could start with correcting Bowen’s decision to ensure his NSW-funded development isn’t picked up by a French or Japanese club for the next three years.
With Foley on a one-season deal, the Tahs will again face a huge gap in 2028 and they will be looking for a NSW center with professional experience or at least Shute Shield dominance at the start of next year. They are both on Bowen and the Waratahs can overcome the criticism they will face with Foley’s return by turning to Bowen and striking a deal for 2028.
Another proud step for the Waratahs – read Rugby Australia – to take is to pick up the phone and talk Türkiye to yet another 2014 graduate: coach Michael Cheika.
It challenges belief that RA has not approached Cheika about the possibility of him taking over the vacancy left by McKellar last month.
Cheika is a thoroughbred gift horse for RA. You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who doesn’t believe Cheika will turn the Waratahs around. He made a career out of it.
Cheika’s resume will be much better than any of the candidates the RA will collect during the search. There’s a reason why test nations and big clubs have his phone ringing on a regular basis.
Influential Waratahs players are even pressing internally for Cheika.
For whatever reason, risk-averse types in the RA are reluctant to consider the Cheika package, which is seen as unmanageable and not “in tune” with the stable, process-oriented ethos of the RA’s upper echelons.
Most of these things are trite. Cheika is not the fiery and wild man of the past. Of course he would insist on being the Waratahs boss, but that’s exactly what’s needed.
The Waratahs are edging closer to falling off the sporting map in NSW in their run. Seeing the stands packed for Wallabies matches in Sydney knowing that three-quarters of those same rugby fans are not interested in watching the Waratahs must be a source of more pain for RA than a slap on the back.
RA have spent huge sums on poster boy stars in NSW (Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Max Jorgensen, NRL newcomer Angus Crichton) but without success the Waratahs will not be a hot ticket and the investment will not be wasted.
Cheika acts without hesitation as the best option to bring back success and reactivate an apathetic audience. If tensions are very strong, frame this with a succession plan. Appoint Stephen Hoiles or Chris Latham as assistant and arrange handover within two years.
There’s a reason people remember Phipps and Foley and make 2014 jokes. This was the last time the state truly invested in the Waratahs.
Iain Payten is senior sports reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect with: X or email.
