Whilst most players shudder at the prospect of pre-season training, Wallaby lock Matt Philip was relishing it after near 18 months straight of Rugby.
The 27-year-old makes his return to the Rebels after spending last season with French club Pau, thrown into action only three weeks after finishing his Wallaby commitments.
He would rejoin the national set-up immediately in time for France, coming into the camp straight from quarantine as he played an integral role in the July series and Rugby Championship.
However, Philip concedes the growing workload started to take a toll on his body, having played in 39 games (34 of which he started, 16 with the Wallabies) in the space of 15 months by the time they hit Europe for the Spring Tour.
“For me, I’ve played a lot of Rugby over the past two seasons without a real pre-season,” he told Rugby.com.au. "I went from the Wallabies tour in 2020 straight to France and back into another tour without an extended break like this.
“It took a toll on my body. I didn’t feel as powerful or as strong at the back end of last year’s Wallabies games so I’ve really appreciated this little block to get my body back to where it was power-wise which I think will show in the performances during the early rounds of Super Rugby Pacific.
“The focus (of training) wasn’t on Rugby at all when I was training back in Sydney (with Wallabies Strength and Conditioning coach John Pryor). I was really focused on just getting my body right and freshening up after so many games so I could do it again this year again.”
Philip will make his return for the Rebels during their final trial against the Fijian Drua on February 10 at Harlequins, set to start the first 45-minute half.
After missing last season's Super Rugby AU, the towering lock was eager to return, 'impressed' with the growing leadership and confidence within the squad.
“I haven’t played for a couple of months now so I’m excited to put back on the Rebels jersey,” Philip added.
“I’m not too worried about who we are playing. It’s more just an opportunity for us to put what we’ve learnt from training park over the pre-season together. With the Drua, they’ve obviously going to play an expansive, fast and exciting style of Rugby. It will be challenging as well because trials are usually very scrappy and disjointed which might suit them, a lot more open play.
"I’ve found the engagement of the younger and less experienced Super Rugby players really impressive.
“I’ve learnt a few things and a lot of them have been really switched on and keen to learn some of that, coming up and asking questions after meetings, really eager to get better and learn which I find impressive.
“I think our new attack coach Ryan Martin has done a great job as well. I think we’re going to see these Rebels play a little bit of a different style of Rugby this year which is exciting."
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