Despite his recent surge in form for the NSW Waratahs, Nick Phipps concedes Nic White is still in pole position for the Wallabies’ No.9 jersey.
The Brumbies’ White started at halfback for Australia’s clashes with France in June, and on Thursday trained there during the full squad’s first session together.
Phipps, meanwhile, was kept as a reserve.
But his efforts in getting the Waratahs to last Saturday’s Super Rugby final and first-ever title has put him back in contention for a spot in the starting XV for the Bledisloe Cup opener in Sydney on August 16 when coach Ewen McKenzie names his side on Tuesday.
Phipps won the players’ award for his dominant performance in the semi-final against the Brumbies, which included a number of try-saving tackles.
While White is the favourite to retain the No.9, some pundits reckon Phipps might have the jump on the incumbent.
The championship-winning halfback, however, said he was happy to bide his time.
“He’s had a great year as well, so it’s not as if I can come in and say I deserve that spot,” Phipps told AAP.
“(He) played really well in those three French games in the middle of the year, so when the coaches are obviously looking back on past performances he’d probably have that nudge ahead of me.
“I’ll just keep working hard and hopefully opportunities come.”
Phipps said selection in the run-on side was essentially out of his hands and he was just grateful to be in the frame.
“This time last year I wasn’t in this position at all so I’m just stoked to be here at the moment,” he added.
“It just shows how footy goes – you can be top of the world one minute and not even around the next.
“That’s why I’m a big believer in you’re only as good as your last game.”
