Australian Rugby Union today paid tribute to former Qantas Wallabies and NSW flanker, Phil Waugh, whose distinguished playing career with the Waratahs came to a close on Saturday evening against the Blues in Auckland.
Waugh, who has racked up 79 Test caps with the Wallabies and 132 Super Rugby caps with the Waratahs, ended his Super Rugby career with the same determined and uncompromising characteristics that marked his entry to the elite levels of the game in 2000.
ARU Managing Director and CEO, John O’Neill, said Waugh had been an inspirational leader and fierce competitor for many years and would be sorely missed on the Super Rugby field.
“Phil leads from the front and has shown a passion and commitment to the game that can never be questioned, he epitomises what it means to pull on the Wallabies or Waratahs jersey,” Mr O’Neill said.
“I congratulate Phil on a career that has spanned more than a decade and created some wonderful memories at the Super Rugby and Wallabies levels.
“In his 11-year career, Phil managed to secure some of the highest accolades a player can achieve, including the Super Rugby Rookie of the Year Award in 2000, the Super Rugby Player of the Year award in 2001 and a John Eales Medal in 2003.
“I wish Phil all the best for the future and I have no doubt that he will succeed at whatever he sets his sights on off the field once the 2011 international season comes to an end.”
PHIL WAUGH
Born: 22 September 1979, Sydney NSW
Position: Flanker
Physical: 180cm, 100kg
Junior Club: Narrabeen Tigers
School: Shore
Club: Sydney University
State Caps: 136*
State Points: 65 [13t]
State Caps as Captain: 58*
State Wins as Captain: 35*
State Debut: 1999 v Brumbies
Super Rugby Caps: 132*
Super Rugby Points: 65 [13t]
Super Rugby Caps as Captain: 56*
Super Rugby Wins as Captain: 35*
Super Rugby Debut: 2000 v Stormers
Test Caps: 79^
Test Points: 20 [4t]
Test Caps as Captain: 3
Test Debut: 2000 v England
* Waratahs Record
^ 12th all-time for Australia
