New Waratahs lock Matt Philip is embracing the ‘full circle’ opportunity of pulling on the sky blue jersey as he pushes for a Lions recall.
Philip will join the NSW Waratahs at the end of the Japanese season on a two-year deal that keeps him in Australia until the home World Cup.
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The 31-year-old has played for the Western Force and Melbourne Rebels, but that opportunity to play for his home state has always eluded him, ever since his time in the Academy.
“Playing for the Waratahs in front of my family and friends at home week in, week out. That's something I've never got to do in my career,” he told reporters about his motivations.
“A home World Cup is huge. I think the World Cup, last time we had it there, is something that got me really passionate and motivated about rugby when I was young.
“To be a part of that, I think it's an easy decision for players to come back, personally.”
The deal means Philip could make his Waratahs debut against the British and Irish Lions on July 5.
It also places him further on the radar for either a Wallabies or AUNZ call-up.
“I spoke with Joe (Schmidt, Wallabies coach) briefly towards the end of last year and the start of this year about coming back home and if the option comes, I'll obviously go with both hands,” he said.
“I definitely feel that my body and my game is in a really good place. Playing in Japan here as an internationally capped player, there's a lot expected of you to play every match, big minutes. I've had to keep my body in a really good place.
“I haven't been slacking off over here. It's a really strong competition; really fast, exciting, athletic rugby. I feel like my body and my game is in a really good place.
“If the opportunity comes, I feel like I can do the job.”
Although his stint in Japan lasted only two years, Philip has grown significantly as the expectations of his club, Yokohama Canon Eagles, rose.
It has him better placed to step up and turn the Waratahs around, who sit sixth on the ladder.
“As an international capped player here in Japan, there's a lot of expectation of you to play big minutes, play well every week,” he explained.
“I never really had that when I was back at home or in the Wallabies, it was always bigger names or bigger superstars than there were here.
“Last year, we lost Jesse Kriel and Faf De Klerk for pretty much the whole season so learning to deal and play with that expectation was a big growth in my game.”
