Matthew Phillips

For the English footballer, see Matt Phillips.

Matthew Phillips (10 April 1975 in Kaitaia) is an New Zealand-born Italian rugby union footballer. His usual position is at Number 8.

Phillips had played for New Zealand national rugby union U-21 team when he moved to play for Rugby Viadana, in Italy, where he would stay from 1999/2000 to 2005/2006. He won the Italian Championship in 2001/02 and the Cup of Italy in 1999/2000 and 2002/03. He had to leave competition due to a injury, but returned to play for Amatori Capoterra, in February 2010.

He became an Italian citizen in 2002, deciding to represent Italy. He had 14 caps, scoring 3 tries, 15 points in aggregate, from 2002 to 2003. He was a part of their squad at the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia, playing two games and scoring one try. He played twice at the Six Nations Championship, in 2002 and 2003.

Phillips made his international debut for Italy in 2002 against France, at 2 February 2002, in a 33-12 loss, in Paris, for the 2002 Six Nations Championship. He became a regular in the Italian Test side, and in 2003 was included in their World Cup squad for Australia. He played in Italy's opening match against the All Blacks in Melbourne, where he scored a try.

External links

• 6 Nations profile
• Matthew Phillips on rwc2003.irb.com
• Matthew Phillips International Statistics

Persondata
Name	Phillips, Matthew
Alternative names	TP
Short description
Date of birth	10 April 1975
Place of birth	Kaitaia
Date of death
Place of death