Australian scrum-half Nick Phipps has signed a two-year contract extension at division two side NEC Green Rockets, RugbyJP.com can exclusively reveal.
Phipps, 35, joined NEC in 2022 from London Irish and has shone for the Chiba side who lost to the Black Rams Tokyo in last season’s promotion/relegation play-off.
The New South Wales native, who made 72 Test appearances for the Wallabies, scored seven tries for Wayne Pivac’s side last season.
Phipps told RugbyJP.com that it was an easy decision to decide to extend his time in Japan.
“It was extremely easy,” said the former Waratahs half-back.
“There was a bit of interest in returning home or back to Europe. I felt that there was a fair bit of unfinished business here at NEC and I wanted to be a part of that. I like the direction the staff (Ota & Asano) want the club to go and the coaching staff are improving me as a player every day.
“My family and I love our local area and it’s the best fit for us.”
Phipps believes that the NEC environment is the best place for him at this stage of his career.
“I like how our club is a traditional proud club. We have a mix of professionals and company employees and what brings us all together is a desire to represent NEC to the best of our ability.
“The players are fantastic human beings and once they realise how good they can be then I feel the club will be in good stead in the future seasons. We are a smaller team which makes the relationships between the players, staff and supporting staff a really special place to come into work every day.”
Working with Pro 12-winning coach Wayne Pivac was also a factor in the former sevens international deciding to remain with the talent-laden club.
“Wayne is a blend of all the coaching styles that I have enjoyed over my career,” Phipps told RugbyJP.com.
Former Wales coach Pivac steered the Scarlets to an unexpected Pro 12 title in 2017 and is entering his second season in Japan.
“His rugby IQ is second to none, he’s a fantastic man manager so he’s able to really work with players well and he’s old school.
“Old school in the way that there’s no substitute for hard work and biting down on your mouthguard for your teammates isn’t asked of you it’s expected. It’s no surprise that at international level he was so successful. He works so well with Feeney, Stankovich and Takashi Matsuo and the boys all love being able to work with world-class coaches.”
While NEC has lost influential utility back Lomano Lemeki to Honda Heat, they raised eyebrows with the impressive signing of highly-talented Welsh fly-half Rhys Patchell from the Highlanders.
Phipps is excited about his potential half-back pairing with Patchell who has been reunited with his former teammate Jake Ball and his ex-Wales and Scarlets coach Pivac.
“Rhys Patchell along with some of the other recruits have been great signings for us this pre-season. Rhys has a big body, he kicks well, has a smart IQ and is a really lovely bloke.
“I was lucky to play in the World XV with him last year and he’s a great man so I knew he would be a great fit.”
While Patchell is a high-profile signing for a division two Japanese side, Phipps believes there’s still healthy competition for their coveted number 10 jersey.
“I’m looking forward to watching him (Patchell) battle for his spot this season. I thought Taisetsu Kanai was a rock and our most improved player last season. Ko Yoshimura had a season interrupted by injuries but is a serious player for the future after some experience in New Zealand.”
Pivac’s NEC Green Rockets kick off their 2024-2025 season away at Red Hurricanes Osaka on 22 December. Pictures courtesy of NEC Green Rockets
Comments