Philip Robert Waugh

Phil Waugh was a schoolboy prodigy who went on to forge a wonderful rugby career with both New South Wales and Australia. A specialist openside flanker of extraordinary durability Waugh spent ten seasons in a head-to-head battle for the coveted No.7 jersey with fellow Wallaby great George Smith. Born in Sydney, Waugh attended the Shore school where he played flanker in the 1st XV for three successive years (1995-97) and won selection for Australian Schools in both 1996 and 1997.

He captained both the Shore 1st XV and Australian Schools in his final year. Three seasons of aged representation were to follow during which he made his provincial debut for New South Wales against the ACT in 1998. The following year he captained Australia U21s and in 2000 was selected in the Wallaby squad for the end-of-season Spring Tour. Waugh made his Test debut on that tour in the controversial loss to England at Twickenham and a year later he captained Australia ‘A’ in their historic 28-25 win over the British & Irish Lions at Gosford Stadium. He won the John Eales Medal in 2003, attended two Rugby World Cups and in 2006 became the 74th Wallaby to captain his country.

A very influential player, both on and off the field Phil Waugh won 79 caps and captained Australia in three Tests during his ten year international career.

Highlights

1996

Represented Australian Schools against Ireland Schools and New Zealand Schools.

1997

Captained Australian Schools against England Schools and New Zealand Schools.

1998

Represented Australian U21s 1999 Represented Australian U21s

1999/2000

Represented Australia in the IRB Sevens World Series. 2000 Captained Australia at the SANZAR-UAR U21 tournament. Waugh made his Test debut off the bench when he replaced George Smith in the 19-22 loss to England at Twickenham.

2001

Waugh was not selected for the British & Irish Lions series but returned to play in the final seven Tests of the year. He scored his first Test try in the 15-21 loss to England at Twickenham. Waugh made his run-on XV debut at No.7 in the 13-14 loss to France in Marseilles.

2002

Waugh missed the entire international season due to a ruptured peroneal retinaculum.

2003

Waugh played 13 of the Wallabies’ 14 Tests, the final 12 of which were all as the starting openside flanker. He was selected to his first Rugby World Cup and won the prestigious John Eales Medal as Australian Player of the Year.

2004

Waugh was capped in all 12 internationals, 11 as the run-on No.7 and the last seven in partnership with George Smith at blindside flanker.

2005

A torn knee cartilage saw Waugh unavailable for the opening three Tests of the season but he returned to play in each of the remaining ten internationals.

2006

Waugh earned a further 12 caps and only missed the 25-18 win over Italy in Roma. He won his 50th Test cap in the 2nd Test, 20-18 win over South Africa in Sydney. Waugh became the 74th Wallaby to captain his country in the 29-29 draw with Wales in Cardiff.

2007

He played in 11 of Australia’s 12 Tests and was selected to his second Rugby World Cup. Waugh played three of the four matches but only started one, the 55-12 victory over Fiji in Montpellier.

2008

Waugh picked up 11 caps but missed two of the Spring Tour Tests as coach Robbie Deans looked to manage workloads after what he called a demanding four weeks.

2009

He won his final two caps, both off the bench, against Italy in Melbourne and France in Sydney.