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Nic White is in the box seat to cement his place as Australia’s first choice No.9 after signing an extension with the Brumbies and Wallabies through to the end of next year.
White said making a decision on an offer from Japan had been a long process but he felt he always wanted to commit to Australian rugby with a World Cup looming late next year.
The 31-year-old has already experienced playing overseas – he returned to Australian rugby in 2020 after stints in France and England.
White played in the 2019 Rugby World Cup and his experience will be a big boost for Dave Rennie’s team. While many believe Reds scrum half Tate McDermott as a superior running game, White’s passing and overall excellence puts him ahead for Rennie.
White has played 94 times for the Brumbies and has 47 Test caps.
“The Brumbies is home to me, I love the club and my focus now is fully on the Blues this Saturday and the exciting challenges we have ahead of us,” White said in a statement.
But it was no secret that White’s negotiations were problematic as he sought a longer deal than the one year ultimately accepted.
White last week compared himself to Broncos NRL recruit Adam Reynolds, who left South Sydney after not being offered a long-term deal.
“I feel like I am Adam Reynolds from the Rabbitohs,” White told SEN.
“It’s hard to convince people that you want to stick around for a long time at my age, and I get that, but I also want a bit of security with the family, so we are just sorting out the finer details.
“(We were) talking about the 2023 World Cup, but I went in there talking about the 2025 Lions tour – I want to play the Lions. I am only 31 and feel like I am getting better.
“I understand they look at it like a bit of a ticking time bomb – ‘when is the guy going to break?’ I have played 300 games, but it’s hard to convince them I am good to go.
“You just have to find middle ground, but I have made it pretty clear this won’t be my last contract, it won’t even be my second last. I still have plenty left in the tank.“
Rennie said: “Nic’s one of the best halfbacks in the world and to have him recommit to Australian Rugby is a massive positive for the Wallabies and the Brumbies.
“He has amazing work ethic, has high expectations of himself and demands the same from those around him.
“Whitey’s a top man, his competitiveness is infectious and he’s playing the house down at the moment.”
Brumbies head coach Dan McKellar was likewise pleased.
“Everyone at the Brumbies is excited to have Whitey stay at a club which clearly means a lot to him and his family,” McKellar said.
“We talk a lot about needing world class players in your team to compete at the top level and Whitey’s in that bracket.
“With his professionalism and dedication, he’s got a lot more to give to the game and he’ll be an important player for the Brumbies for as long as he wears ACT colours.”
Paddy Ryan is free to resume playing this week as his red card against the Hurricanes was wiped out and he was cautioned instead.
Ryan was dismissed in the 76th minute after a clash with Canes star Jordie Barrett. The red card made it too tough for the Tahs to mount a comeback having slipped behind for the first time in the game two minutes earlier.
“Having conducted a detailed review of all the available evidence, including all camera angles and additional evidence, including from the player and submissions from his legal representative, Aaron Lloyd, the Foul Play Review Committee found the foul play did not breach the red card threshold,” said Michael Heron QC in a statement.
“With respect to sanction the Foul Play Review Committee deemed the act of foul play merited a Warning as it was close to, but did not breach the red card threshold. The Foul Play Review Committee deemed that the significant mitigating factors, including the ball carrier significantly dropping in height, rotation, and additional players being involved within the tackle, mitigated the sanction to a Warning.”
Eels assistant coach David Kidwell has quit to join Michael Cheika at Argentine Rugby Union.
Kidwell, who coached the Kiwis at the 2017 NRL World Cup, will leave for Argentina next month to become defence coach for Los Pumas ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
“I came to win the World Cup, that’s my mentality,” Kidwell told a media conference.
“I told Michael I’m very excited. I spoke with my family, it was a very big decision. I am very happy.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.