Nick Frisby v Nick Phipps - Head-to-Head

Nick Frisby never rued a minute he served as understudy to Will Genia for four seasons.

“I will always count myself as fortunate to have had those four years because I spent just about every day following in his footsteps,” Frisby, 23, said.

“There is no better way to learn about playing halfback.”

More than that, Genia impressed on Frisby that having the right mindset was as important as the key passing and kicking tools.

“One of the best things Willy kept telling me was to back myself and play the way I play no matter the game or situation,” Frisby said.

“They are massive boots to fill, of course, but I’ve never put any pressure on myself to fill them in a certain way or felt any expectation.”

Those comments give an insight into how Frisby has stepped up in the role so far this season.

Never shy to run, he has backed his sniping game and also his keen sense to back up chances created elsewhere.

If there has been a turning point to the Reds season, it was the 45m gallop from backrower Hendrik Tui through two Rebels defenders in Melbourne.

Twice, such big forward breaks had come to nothing in the trials and the opening round against the Waratahs.

This time, Frisby positioned himself in support, took the switch pass inside and motored over for the try.

Against the Blues last weekend, Frisby had double touch involvements in two excellent tries.

Better still, the Frisby-Jake McIntyre partnership had its best night out with a stronger rudder given the team at large.

Phipps, meanwhile, has been crucial to the rise of the Waratahs as a force.

It hasn’t just been the snap of his pass to Number 10s Bernard Foley and Kurtley Beale, but the whole versatile package he offers.

The effervescent Phipps is often a barometer of the fizz in the ‘Tahs.

His copybook cover defence to chop down attackers steaming down the touchline is always the measure of extra effort that the best sides possess.

In the 2014 semi-final showdown against the ACT Brumbies, Phipps was everywhere.

His cover tackles on Tevita Kuridrani and Scott Fardy were emblematic of a Waratahs side which would not be denied the Super Rugby title a week later.

Or in round one this year, when Kurtley Beale toed ahead, the non-stop strides of Phipps were those which reached the ball to dot down for the final try.

When the Waratahs get rolling in attack, Phipps invariably tears off for one of his raking runs.

He has built a worthy 39-Test career with the same heart to his game and kept Genia out of the gold Number 9 for substantial periods.

It was Phipps who fed Drew Mitchell down the left touchline when the Wallabies winger made his classic zig-zagging run in the Rugby World Cup semi-final win over Argentina last year.

The Waratahs smashed out their dominance of Super Rugby with big boppers Potgieter, Palu, Polota-Nau, Skelton and co but Phipps directing chances off their forward momentum was an essential ingredient.

Now the Waratahs are missing a few of their warheads, the scrumhalf is an even more important player to get his team into gear.
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