The Brumbies have signed Wallabies halfback Nic White on a two-year deal starting from the 2021 Super Rugby season.
White, 29, played for the Brumbies between 2011 and 2015 before a stint in Europe. He re-signed with Rugby Australia this year so he could play at the World Cup.
The crafty No.9 has unseated Will Genia as Australia’s first-choice halfback and will start in the Wallabies’ final World Cup pool game against Georgia on Friday.
White made his Test debut in 2013 and has played 29 times for the Wallabies, starting in five of their eight games this year.
He will be available for the Wallabies in 2020 and finish his contract at English Premiership club Exeter Chiefs, before joining the Brumbies for their 2021 and 2022 campaigns.
“The Brumbies is home for me, and Canberra is home for my family, so to know that my future is set and that I’ll be back at the Brumbies. It’s so exciting,” White said.
“Right now, I’m completely focused on the Rugby World Cup and the Wallabies, and I look forward to getting back to the Chiefs and ripping in with them, but again, knowing I’ll be returning to a place and a club I love is really special.”
Brumbies academy graduate White made 67 appearances in his first stint with the Canberra-based franchise, scoring 162 points.
He played two seasons for French club Montpelier in the Top14 competition and the last two for Exeter.
“We are thrilled to have Whitey returning to the Brumbies,” coach Dan McKellar commented.
“He’s a world-class player, a player who demands very high standards of himself and expects the same of others. His work ethic, competitive nature and leadership will be so important to our squad when he returns.”
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Was playing good at Super Rugby level until Brad Thorn came along.
Realist
Guest
Well played HIKa :laughing:
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I’m not sure how that changes the fact that as he was omitted from the squad, Phipps is unlikely to be selected in the future while OS
HiKa
Roar Rookie
I was about to give you some correction to use “insightful”, but then realized that talking WB selections is always “inciteful”.
Realist
Guest
Wow TWAS how inciteful you are with your “Chieka didn’t select him for the World Cup” comment. I suppose the fact Chieka no longer has sole authority over selections in 2019 and is now 1 of a 3-man selection panel may have had anything to do with Phipps’ non-selection in the RWC squad ??? ???? how about Hanigan ??? ????
Realist
Guest
James Tuttle is not Super Rugby standard let alone potential test standard. He ranks alongside Jake McIntyre in class as a fly half in my opinion. Joe Powell though I think could be a test standard player if given chances. I’d prefer him over White
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I like that they are all reasonably priced options. I reckon blowing a huge chunk on their cap on Coleman and Genia didn’t pay off and who they’ll really miss in 2020 are the good value players like Talakai and English. Picking up guys like these and Ruan Smith gives them some good options that they aren’t paying the world for.
Boomeranga
Roar Rookie
That's a good little group. Each of those could potentially make a difference.
OJ
Roar Rookie
White is an outstanding halfback who will get a hell of a lot better in a better coached squad.
DNZ
Guest
wouldn't be surprised if that were the case Fionn, people I know inside the Brumbies indicated to me they thought Lonergan would have already unseated Powell by now. Both very talented Canberra locals but one/both of them will have have to leave to further their careers in the medium term by the looks of it.
Jarrod Murray
Roar Rookie
While Phipps has experience at test level, I am not a huge fan of his play style. I would love to see Jake Gordon take his spot.
Jarrod Murray
Roar Rookie
GREAT SIGNING. White’s attacking style will be sought after and it will be interesting to see how he meshes with the u18 Australian schoolboys fly half Reesjan Pasitoa in the 2021 season
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Good point, mate. I don’t see the two situations as analogous.
Markus
Roar Rookie
Hopefully the Brumbies can adopt a strong rotation like they have for Sio-Slipper, or actually like they did previously with White-Prior, and they can both get sufficient game time to remain the top two form Aus scrumhalves.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
You surely have to consider that White signed with Exeter 2 and a half years ago, for a deal that extended to the end of the 2020 Super Rugby season. Long before there were any attempts to convince him to come back. These discussions occurred with Skelton, who then went on to ignore them and commit for another 2 years. We should bend over further to accommodate him?
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Jez, to be fair it is a whole extra year of super rugby. What you say reads differently when it is White playing the 2021 super season and Skelton not playing until 2022. I suspect the difference to RA was that halfback was a position in which we had a dire need and White is one of the best in the world. Lock is a position where we didn’t have the same need, and Skelton for all his improvements is not one of the best locks in the world (for example, still average in the line out).
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
By the Brumbies. If he played a test he got match payments.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
I suspect the Brumbies may put more effort into keeping Lonergan. But it will be interesting to see what happens. The Waratahs certainly need a better starting 9 than Gordon, so maybe Powell may look there? Lonergan is still young, and waiting two seasons for his chance is not so long at his age. I hope the Brumbies can keep all three.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
By who? Does he have an RA top up? Doubt it!
SD
Guest
I agree with Scott .What about the continued selection of Nick 2016 2017 2018 and Cheika did select Phipps in 2019 v Samoa. If we took 3 scrumhalves Phipps would have been on the Plane.Phipps might be back up to White next year.Dont say he wouldn't be.As he could be.He doesn't want Powell.It may Happen TWAS and you know it could.But it is all academic as Cheika will not be coach in 2020.