G’day welcome to episode 217 of the Talking with TK podcast. Phil is a former professional rugby league player who played 127 NRL games kicking off at Manly before spending the majority of his career at the Cronulla Sharks. He represented NSW and Australia in 3 games each before moving over to England spending 4 seasons with Wigan racking up 101 games. Post footy, Phil has crossed code to Rugby Union where he has served as Head Defensive Coach at the USA Eagles, Director of Rugby at the Hong Kong Football club and spent some time at the NSW Waratahs.

Time Stamps

1:01 - Growing up in Inverell

2:19 - Backyard battles with his brother Chris

4:52 - Growing up knowing the Tingha NRL boys

6:35 - His body post footy

6:56 - How he found rugby league

8:31 - The joy of the Saturday 3pm game

9:11 - His pathway to the NRL

11:56 - Tales of his first NRL coach Bob Fulton

14:42 - In he sheds with all the champion Manly players

16:34 - The advantage of playing all three grades

17:38 - The pain of the Northern Eagles merger

18:34 - Being identified by Chris Anderson still at the Storm

19:36 - His perspective of the Chris Anderson era

20:39 - How he found his versatility as a centre

21:54 - Running good lines and late footwork

24:00 - His bond with Matty Johns

26:16 - The flat attack

28:00 - Brett Kimmorley

29:42 - David Peachey

30:33 - Issues with his feet

34:22 - His origin debut at Suncorp Stadium

35:45 - Andrew Johns

38:00- 2004 Kangaroo Tour

40:55 - Getting his eye saved by Doctors after the test match

41:25 - Brain Carney

42:40 - What made him move to Wigan

45:05 - Playing under Brian Noble and Madge Maguire

47:00 - Coming back from an Achilles tear

48:00 - Planning for retirement but getting rejected by the Army

51:30 - How he got over to America

56:08 - Coaching

57:28 - Being part of the USA coaching staff at the World Cup

1:00:28 - Moving to Hong Kong

1:02:39 - Transferable skills from sports to business

1:04:50 - 5 people he would invite to a private dinner party

Find 200 + episodes of Talking with TK in that back catalogue. I've been blessed to interview the likes of Ellyse Perry, Petero Civoniceva, Robert Whittaker, Mark Schwarzer, Shane Webcke, Adrian Morley, Mark Ella, Willie Tonga, Steve Menzies, Jamie Lyon Craig Wing, Danny Buderus, Mat Rogers, Anthony Minichiello, Luke Lewis, Chad Townsend, Andrew Ettingshausen, Bradley Clyde, Stirling Mortlock, Alex McKinnon, Mark Geyer, Cameron Murray ,Craig Lowndes, Pat Cash, Matt Toomua, Kieren Perkins, Paul Harragon, Robbie Maddison and many more.

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