Ex-Wallabies star Nick Phipps to return to Australia after NEC exit

Former Wallabies scrum-half and World Cup runner-up Nick Phipps has left division two side NEC Green Rockets after four years in Japan.

Ex-NEC captain Phipps, 37, made three appearances this year in an injury-hit season as Greg Cooper’s Chiba-based side, whose ownership and management will transfer from NEC to JR East Japan Railway Company in July, finished in fourth-place.

The Australian stalwart made 36 appearances for the former division one side and is among an 11-strong list of departures announced on Friday afternoon.

Phipps, a veteran of the three World Cup tournaments including the 2015 final loss to New Zealand, told RugbyJP.com: “I’ll go back to Australia initially and then make some decisions on what to do next.”

© NEC Green Rockets

The New South Wales native started his pro career with former Super Rugby outfit the Rebels in 2011 before moving back to Sydney in 2014 to play for the Waratahs.

Following the 2019 World Cup in Japan, Phipps, who emulated his grandfather and great uncle, both called Jim, in playing for the Wallabies, moved to England to join London Irish in the Premiership.

Phipps joined NEC in 2022 and played against a host of former Wallabies colleagues in Japan including then-Kintetsu Liners scrum-half Will Genia and fly-half Quade Cooper, Kubota Spears’ Bernard Foley, Saitama Wild Knights wing Marika Koroibete and Black Rams prop Paddy Ryan.

© NEC Green Rockets

Former Highlanders lock Pari Pari Parkinson, ex-Crusaders utility-back Riley Hohepa and uncapped French full-back Nathan Dagoury are also among those leaving the 2003 Microsoft Cup winners. Assistant coach Ryan Piper and coach Takeshi Matsuo have also left the club.