While most parents bring printer paper and post-it notes home from the office, Wallaby Nick Frost’s father went a step further – he brought the Rugby World Cup back to the family in Sydney.
After signing a two-year deal that will take him until the end of the 2027 season, Frost’s life has come full circle, from a boy posing with the trophy to a seasoned Wallaby trying to win it in Australia.
Frost’s father Steve worked for Rugby Australia for almost two decades, and as part of his job in driving participation, he would showcase the Bledisloe Cup around schools and rugby clubs.
The huge silver trophy became part of the family furniture as it nestled in the lounge, but the gold William Webb Ellis trophy only visited once for a roadshow and left a lasting impression on Frost.
“I’m assuming it was in 2011 for the New Zealand World Cup, that probably fits right with my age then (Frost was 12) and I remember one day Dad had the World Cup at home, and I had to get a few photos with it but I never really imagined playing in a World Cup just a few years ago,” Frost said.
“Just experiencing the World Cup, you have to go over there and see the game on a global stage then imagining that again at home and the experience that would bring.
Nick Frost as a young boy with the World Cup
“If you have the opportunity to play, that is something you probably can’t pass up, I’m really looking forward to just staying in Australia and having a good run at it.”
Frost made the decision to challenge for a World Cup spot in Australia without knowing who will replace Joe Schmidt as Wallabies coach.
“I think that’s for any player, there was a bit of uncertainty,” Frost said of the coaching position. “Last year was my third year playing for the Wallabies and I had three different coaches … but Joe’s been great and we’re just waiting on the impending announcement of the new Wallabies coach.
“I think you’ve got to factor it [the new coach] into consideration, but you do also have to back yourself a bit; it is a new challenge either way.”
At just 25 years old, Frost is better placed than most athletes to speak about making decisions. As a schoolboy at Knox Grammar, Frost starred in athletics and basketball and was also contacted by the Sydney Swans to invite him to try out for their academy. He eventually focused on rugby.
Before being capped for the Wallabies in 2022, Frost accepted an offer to sign with the Panasonic club in Japan under Robbie Deans, before eventually being persuaded to stay in Australian rugby and becoming a key part of the Wallabies pack.
Frost has joined Wallabies captain Harry Wilson in committing to play in a home World Cup, but key international teammates remain in negotiations with RA, including star breakaway Fraser McReight and his Brumbies clubmate Tom Wright.
“I think it’s hard individually with contract negotiations,” Frost said. “I think everyone’s got different things they value, you never know what someone values whether it’s looking after the family or X, Y, Z, so it’s always complicated and it’s probably not as straightforward as people think it is…
Nick Frost in action against Ireland in NovemberCredit: Getty Images
“There are boys obviously committing and understanding what is ahead for Australian rugby and if people go, they go, there’s no hard feelings either way.
“I think as a player you always understand [other players’ decisions] because at end of the day, that could be you in that position that has to make that decision, and you’d hope the boys have your back.”
Frost has enjoyed sampling the different atmospheres of stadiums across Europe while touring for the Wallabies and hasn’t completely written off playing club rugby abroad at some stage of his career, but his focus now is on Australia.
After working under Dave Rennie, Eddie Jones and Schmidt at the Wallabies, what would Frost want to see in the new coach?
“Joe has really focused on the basics of the game,” Frost said. “If you don’t do all that well, you can’t really play the game you want to … Dave Rennie was pretty similar with that. Whoever the coach may be, [focus on] fundamentals, I guess.
“I think the environment is the big one too, there’s a good relationship between the player and the coach, it’s like any workplace, be it rugby or anything, that really helps to put a team forward and gel.”
