It's not very often players get a second shot with a side - but for 31-test Wallaby Matt Philip, his return to his home state of New South Wales has been a long time coming.
Growing up watching the Waratahs, it had always been a long term goal of the lock to play in the sky blue jersey - although he's certainly taken the long way to get there, with stints at the Rebels, Force, and several seasons in both France and Japan.
Watch every game of the 2025 British & Irish Lions Tour live and on-demand via Stan Sport.
However, even he didn't forsee that his first official match for his home state could be squaring up against the fabled British and Irish Lions - and his hunger to succeed in sky blue is likely the sort of attitude head coach Dan McKellar is looking for to turn around the side's fortunes.
"I couldn't be happier," Philip told reporters following an intense session in rainy conditions on Tuesday.
"I was first here in about 2014. I didn't get a shot then. It took me a long time, over 10 years. But really happy to be here in the building.
"I'm a lot more experienced than I was when I was first here. I've played all over the world now, both internationally and for different clubs, so I think I can bring that experience and just bring a bit of enthusiasm, a bit of energy.
"Playing for the Waratahs is a big deal for me - I think every day I'm going to be grateful to be in here, because I know what it's like to not be in here and wish you were here.
"That kind of energy and gratitude, I can really bring to the jersey."
Philip has been impressed so far, linking up with the side shortly after the conclusion of the Super Rugby Pacific season - with the side reportedly having a near perfect build up ahead of their match against the Lions on Saturday.
They have also been bolstered by the return of several Wallabies, including Taniela Tupou, Andrew Kellaway, Darby Lancaster and Tane Edmed to Daceyville.
The opportunity to play against the Lions played a major factor in Philip returning, not just the chance for further international honours and the chance to finally play for his home state.
"I've been really impressed with the intensity of all areas of the program," Philip said..
"Both on and off the field, the S&C staff work really hard making sure the boys are getting the most out of the gym, and then obviously on the field Dan and the coaching staff are pushing some pretty high standards. I've been really impressed with that environment.
"I've worked a bit with Dan in the past with the Wallabies, I know he's got really high standards, really high expectations, so it's nothing different to what I expected.
"He's a world class coach, a highly sought after coach - a lot of coaches have really good knowledge and detail around the game, but his ability to implement that with the detail and intensity that he does is his point of difference.
"[Playing the Lions was] a big part in the decision to come back to Australia.
"We've got the Lions, there's a home World Cup in two years as well, and obviously playing at home at the Waratahs.
"For me it was a pretty easy decision in the end to come back to the Waratahs. It's going to be a pretty exciting time."
Despite being a season campaigner at this point, Philip admits the build up to the match feels different given the occasion - and is opting to lean into the experience.
"It's once every 12 years, so for me it would be the biggest game of my career," Philip said.
"You can't not lean into the occasion. I think it's the old adage of every game, don't treat any game differently - but it's pretty hard not to in my eyes.
"It's really exciting, it's going to be a sold out stadium, lots of my friends and families have bought tickets months in advance to come and support the Waratahs - so I think it's a huge occasion."
Inevitably, the discussion of Wallaby representation is something Philip is thinking about in the back of his head, having last played in gold during their 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign.
However, after having spent some time in Joe Schmidt's camp up in Newcastle, he is conscious of the work needed to get back there - and making his long-awaited Waratahs debut is front of mind.
"I want to play best for the team and it doesn't matter if there's selection or not on the line, you always want to play well," Philip admitted.
"The international stuff is definitely in the back of my mind, don't get me wrong.
"I'd love to be back in that arena, I spent some time there last week in the camp in Newcastle in Sydney to get a bit of a taste of what it's like under Joe Schmidt and I want to be back in there so for sure.
"[But] I'd love just to get a win for the Tahs for Sydney. I'm a Sydney boy, growing up the Tahs are my favourite team - so a win for the Tahs is my priority.
"I don't need any extra motivation for this game. There's a lot on the line already."
