Experienced lock Matt Philip will lead his boyhood club the NSW Waratahs in this year’s Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific.
31-cap Wallaby Philip, 31, will take over the captaincy from scrum-half Jake Gordon, who led the team 53 times in Super Rugby over a five-season spell.
And Philip, who returned home to the Waratahs ahead of the British & Irish Lions fixture in July last year, is excited to realise a childhood dream of captaining the club.
“It's a huge honour and privilege to be named captain of the Waratahs and it’s something I don't take lightly,” Philip said.
“It’s probably the biggest achievement in my career to date, that's for sure, and I really want to do a good job to make sure that we get the results we want as a team.
“We're extremely connected as a squad. It's our second year under Dan (McKellar) and the boys know what to expect. We're one year on of how we want to play, so both on and off the field I think we're going to see those connections come to fruition.
“Jake (Gordon) has done a great job over the last five years and has laid a fantastic foundation for this club. He’s super popular within the group and he will still be leading from the front.”
Born in Mona Vale, Philip attended Bilgola Plateau Public School in his youth before moving onto St Augustine’s College in Northern Beaches, with alumni including former Waratah Langi Gleeson.
The 31-year-old was selected for Australian Schoolboys in 2012, before earning selection for Australia under-20s in both 2013 and 2014.
Philip continued his rugby development with Sydney University in the Shute Shield, playing alongside current teammates Jake Gordon and Andrew Kellaway. His consistent performances were recognised with a call-up to the Northern Stars ahead of the inaugural National Rugby Championship in 2014.
From there he was drafted to the Western Force, making his Super Rugby debut against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein in 2016, quickly becoming a regular in their match day squads.
In 2017, he was called into the Wallabies squad for the first time, named to make his international debut in the side’s first Test of the Spring Tour against Japan in Yokohama.
Since his Wallaby debut, he moved from the Force to the Melbourne Rebels, before featuring for Pau in France and Yokohama Canon Eagles in Japan, the city of his Test debut, before signing for the Waratahs following the end of last season’s Super Rugby Pacific.
Philip last appeared for the Wallabies at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, playing in two matches after a remarkable comeback from an ACL injury the previous year.
Standing at 199cm and weighing in at 115kg, Philip’s physical prowess is a huge asset in the engine room to any team.
Meanwhile Gordon, 32, leaves his position having played the third highest amount of Super Rugby matches as Waratahs captain, only behind Michael Hooper (65) and Phil Waugh (56).
Waratahs head coach Dan McKellar was delighted to be able to call upon Philip’s experience for the captain’s armband, while also thanking previous skipper Gordon for his time as leader.
“Matty is a boyhood fan of the Waratahs and is very passionate about this club. He is realising a dream in becoming captain and he deserves it,” McKellar said.
“Since arriving, he’s quickly become a senior leader and a really important part of the group. When he speaks, people certainly take notice and listen.
“He’ll no doubt become a key figure for us on and off the field and will be ably supported by the senior leaders at the club.
“I’d like to thank Jake for his contribution as captain at the Waratahs, which has been nothing but outstanding over the last five seasons.”
Matt Philip profile
Age: 31
Height: 199cm
Weight: 118kg
Place of birth: Mona Vale, NSW
Education: Bilgola Public School, St Augustine’s College
Junior rugby club: Newport Breakers
Shute Shield club: Sydney University – played with current teammates Jake Gordon and Andrew Kellaway
Previous professional clubs: Western Force, Melbourne Rebels, Pau, Yokohama Canon Eagles
Wallabies debut: 2017 vs Japan (Yokohoma) – Wallaby number 915
Wallaby caps: 28
Languages spoken: Japanese, French
Musical instruments played: Saxophone
