Some weeks ago a press conference was held where Nick Phipps was forced to apologise for urinating on a bar at the Woollahra Hotel.
Afterwards speculation intensified that the whole scene was orchestrated by Rugby Australia in a desperate attempt to gain some media attention.
Many believe the management of Rugby Australia felt the only way the game could get some press was by mimicking the much-loved antics of Rugby League players, and Phipps start in the Wallabies squad is a chance to capitalise on that press.
Tonight the much maligned Wallabies halfback Nick Phipps has an opportunity to prove his critics wrong as he gets a rare start in tonight’s highly anticipated series decider against Ireland in Sydney.
The Surry Hills Times understands a group had celebrated the last days of Phipps’ bachelor life with a round of golf at North Bondi in the morning and a boat cruise in the afternoon. By the time the party arrived at the Woollahra Hotel, Phipps and others were “pretty blind”, the witness said.
After walking up to the bar and urinating on the front, an apologetic Phipps was removed without further incident and put in a taxi by his friends, Fairfax Media was told. The group continued the celebrations without him. It is understood he called publican Ben Lawler to apologise in the days following.
It might seem strange that a man who has played 63 Tests still faces questions about his worth to the national team, but Phipps remains a constant target for cranky social media critics.
We at the Surry Hills Times wish Phipps all the best.
