New NSW Waratahs captain Matt Philip expects no bad blood once sparring teammates Miles Amatosero and Angus Scott-Young return to training, describing their dust-up as a product of the side's improved intensity.
Lock Philip, recruited home to Sydney from Japan after stints with the Western Force, Melbourne Rebels and Pau in France, was confirmed as Waratahs captain on Tuesday.
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He's been thrown straight into the fire after replacing halfback Jake Gordon, who was the side's third most-capped skipper behind Michael Hooper and Phil Waugh.
But the 31-year-old shrugged off any lingering cultural impact of this month's ugly training incident that left Scott-Young with a fractured eye socket and Amatosero suspended for at least two pre-season fixtures.
Philip, who played the last of his 28 Wallabies Tests at the 2023 World Cup, said the pair would break bread when they returned to the club.
"We're ready to move on ... Miles has spent some time away from the club, but when he comes back we'll be a united front," he said.
"I've spoken to them both and they're more than happy to meet and talk and put this behind them.
"Training at high intensity in hot weather; this is going to happen.
"We want results here and that's the kind of intensity we're putting into the pre-season.
"Speaking to boys, the difference between where we're at this year compared to last is chalk and cheese."
Philip is excited to lead a Waratahs side building under former ACT Brumbies coach Dan McKellar and set to welcome another NRL recruit in Angus Crichton next year, joining high-profile code-hopper Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.
"It's the biggest moment in my career," Philip said of the appointment.
"There's a lot of expectation on the captain and I want to do the best job to make sure the team gets the results we want and reach its potential.
"I spent a bit of time with Angus in the juniors ... watching him on the big stage, I'm a huge fan of him.
"It shows where this club is going - the Waratahs and Australian rugby - in the right direction."
