Ten months after securing a one-year extension, Nic White’s future in Australian rugby beyond the World Cup is once again on shaky ground.
Indeed, so delicate is the situation, he might have to join another Super Rugby franchise if he wants to continue playing in Australia.
Despite being Dave Rennie’s first-choice halfback and seemingly being a part of Eddie Jones’ leadership team if a photo with six last week is anything to go on, the 32-year-old’s future in Australian rugby is far from settled.
With a British and Irish Lions series only two years away, it’s an interesting scenario given White’s quality and experience.
The Roar can reveal White wants to remain at the Brumbies – and still could – but only if Rugby Australia comes back to the drawing board with a stronger offer.
Nic White’s future in Australian rugby is on shaky ground. Photo: Jono Searle/Getty Images
The issue is the governing body has already topped up two of its other halfbacks – Jake Gordon and Tate McDermott – who are both younger than White.
It means that the healthy slice of the pie that White returned on from Exeter in 2020 is that much smaller now.
In addition, while Gordon and McDermott are at the heart and soul of their respective Super Rugby franchises, the Brumbies have another halfback, Ryan Lonergan, who is highly regarded and significantly younger. Like Rugby Australia, the Brumbies can only go so high before breaking the bank.
Lonergan, 25, was highly rated by both Dave Rennie and Scott Wisemantel and has already caught the eye of Jones.
While Jones told reporters earlier this month not to consider much in the selection of only two halfbacks for the recent training camp, Lonergan and White were the only ones included.
Rising halfback Ryan Lonergan is considered the future at the Brumbies. (Photo: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)
Jones values White and wants the experienced halfback to stay, but also recognises the need to bring through other players ahead of the Lions series and home World Cup in 2027.
The Brumbies are highly concerned White will be forced to leave the franchise because RA hasn’t budgeted to meet the financial expectations of the 59-Test capped halfback after topping up others first.
White wants to stay in Australia and has long hoped to play against the Lions in 2025.
“Yeah, bloody oath mate,” he told The Roar earlier in the year after being asked about whether he still wanted to play in the series and alongside the likes of Joseph Suaalii.
“Can’t you hear the excitement in my voice over the next five years how good it’ll be here.
“Of course I want to be here. That’s massive. That Lions series can be won or lost off one moment. It was Justin Harrison way back and it was probably Leigh Halfpenny’s boot or a miskick last time they were out, so it can be one moment that can win that series.
“It’s such a big series and yeah, I’d love to be a part of it. Obviously, there’s a lot of water to go under the bridge before then. But how exciting and it’s pretty exciting to have a guy like Joseph come over and throw his hat in the ring for that.”
Eddie Jones shakes hands with Nic White ahead of the Wallabies’ series against England last July. (Photo: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
RA sources have told The Roar the Super Rugby’s salary cap needs to be raised to keep players like White from leaving the game.
One option being floated is for White to join a rival Super Rugby franchise.
The issue is, who? The Reds just re-signed McDermott on a four-year deal while Gordon has agreed to a new two-year deal.
The Force’s Issak Fines-Leleiwasa is starting to blossom and they have Ian Prior signed through until 2024, too.
While the Rebels have Ryan Louwrens and James Tuttle on their books for next year, it’s believed the Melbourne-based franchise were looking to blood a young player but would consider someone of White’s quality if he was interested.
One of the Wallabies’ better known faces and someone with 10 years of international experience to draw on, White would be an astute pick up for the Rebels, who are starting to show real signs of promise under Nick Stiles’ assembled coaching team.
And with Carter Gordon starting to deliver on his immense promise, White could well play an important part in nurturing his development.
After all, development is something White has long spoken about the importance of experience in the halves positions.
“Early on in my career, I’ve made plenty of mistakes that I’ve learned from,” White said last year.
“And now I’m in a position where you try to tell younger guys, ‘This is what I’ve learned’. It’s a decision-making position where you go, ‘OK, I’ve tried that, like when we when come up against the Kiwis, I have tried a few different styles and I get it. But now I know this is the way that works’.”
With pace so important, he said halfbacks simply couldn’t play 80 minutes in the modern game.
“There are finishers now and you want to bring on guys with experience,” White said. “You can’t play a nine for 80 minutes every game, they’ll break.
“Again, I look at a guy like Richard Wigglesworth. I know, at some point down the line, my role will change three, four or five years. But I want to be around to be part of that. I want to be able to help where I can. And if eventually down the line, if I am playing the Lions as a finisher, you can help close out a game.”
Nic White has been an integral part of the Wallabies since 2019 and wants to continue playing through until the British and Irish Lions series. Photo: Paul Kane/Getty Images
While Tom Brady is the modern day freak that has changed the perception of age, he is far from alone.
Johnny Sexton will be 38 by the time the World Cup is played while England’s Danny Care was recalled from an international exile last year by Jones, too.
White spoke of the surprise he got when he told Rugby Australia officials last year he wanted to continue playing through to the Lions series.
“I went into negotiations and it was a bit of a shock to everyone when I said my preference is to stay in Australia for another three, and we got down to one,” White said.
“The Lions is definitely one of the goals when I talk contracting. I feel like early 30s, especially in my position, is not old.
“I look over to England see Danny Care absolutely lighting it up for Harlequins at the age of 35, and I see Richard Wigglesworth still running around at 38 or 39. But for some reason here in Australia you hit 30 and it’s like, ‘Well he is a ticking time bomb – when is he going to break?’
“I am in the peak condition of my career, and I have the data that backs that up. It is showing that I am getting better and better and better, and not just on the field.”
BlouBul
Roar Rookie
Stay away from the Rebels. White is not the right half for Gordon.
Chivas
Roar Rookie
Here is a clue, White started against France and Ireland. He started Gordon against Italy and Wales. You do know where those teams rank respectively don’t you? Why should I provide hard evidence of not selecting White when he was under a concussion cloud and hence wasn’t able to back-up. You provide nothing except high-level platitudes and broad brush numbers to look like you have a point but that simply don’t hold up when looked at closely. You know Gordon only played half a game (if you include the fact he was sat out for 10 minutes on a yc) against Wales, before being switiched out for Tate. DR also started Tate against Scotland. According to you he would have wanted to get the tour off to a good start so selected his best, but that’s not true. DR would have thought the Wallabies should have had the wood on Italy and Scotland. The fact they lost to Italy… do you reckon that would have elevated Gordon in his eyes? Anyway by the end of the tour it was evident to everyone (barring yourself clearly) that the pecking order was White, Tate and then Gordon. The EOYT was a chance to give players the opportunity to establish themsleves and build squad depth. As mentioned and as has been expressed by himself and senior coaches and players who have had direct contact with him, this is his MO. I think he pushes it too far and it can burn the teams he is in charge of by losing key games that should be won if he was more circumspect with his. As for the Rugby championship series, White started in all the four games considered winnable against Argentina and South Africa. To give Gordon a bit of exposure and a start against NZ wasn’t because he thought he was a better player in my humble opinion. It was to give him some game time in a agame they never expected to win. In fact after those games and indeed the entire rugby championship if you think Gordon came out looking like a champion competing with White for best in position, we were watching different games. But here is a clue. In the first game against NZ, Gordon got YC’d and it was when he came off that was when the Wallabies made a come back from an 18 point deficit to be one point away in a nail-biting finish. In the second game they got pumped 41 to 14 and Gordon was relpaced just after half time to no avail. Applying a modicum of intelligence bears what I am saying out. Gordon is not and never has been as good as White. He may be in the future, but he is not up to international standard in my view. He has barely been up to SR standard this year. It doesn’t matter whether or not you believe it and think EJ is secretly playing mind games and actually prefers Gordon. Anyway you are welcome to believe whatever you wish, but for me this is pointless and there are plenty of quality players running around who are more lot more interesting and bring a lot more to the table than the likes of Gordon. I think he’s been given ample opportunity and shown less than nothing. EJ doesn’t and won’t be interested in giving hand-outs to players like Gordon who have demomstrated their lack of impact at international level. EJ wants to win and is not interested in developing players who haven’t demanded it from what I can see.
Chronicle
Roar Rookie
So the 22’ 23’ 24 losses of $ 15 mill starts with a $ 8 mill profit. How is the rest of the rest of your maths tracking.
Big Dave
Roar Rookie
Well no, not really. It doesn't account for Gordon starting the two NZ games. And the 'last 3 games' where Rennie was 'picking his best' were started by Gordon, White and then Gordon. Maybe Rennie would have picked White for the Wales game without the concussion, happy for you to provide evidence to back that up.
Chivas
Roar Rookie
Thank you. The end.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Even if your number is correct (which it ain’t), then it’s still possible the Brumbies only pay $1 and the rest is all top up. So other clubs have $239’999 extra they could offer.
Chronicle
Roar Rookie
White has started 22 of the last 30 tests by the Wallabies. Rennie stated before the last spring tour that he was building depth in all positions with an eye to the RWC hence the selections for Italy. He also is on record saying that he would pick his best for the last 3 games. White was picked to start against France and Ireland and in most pundits opinions outplayed Du Pont and the Irish half. He was odds on to start against Wales but was ruled out on concussions protocols. White was the clear choice of starting half by Rennie and to claim otherwise is not supported by Rennie’s selections.
Big Dave
Roar Rookie
Nah I think Gordon's an ok 9, don't love him, don't hate him. Same way as I feel about White. I think most people would say Gordon is better on his best day than White on his worst. I'd opt for White if they were both on their best day, my point all along though is that it's hard to make the case White is the clear first choice for Wallabies 9 when he wasn't being regularly started by Rennie through the second half of last year. To be honest, I didn't question Rennie's decision at the time because I didn't think White was sparking much, and I wasn't alone in that opinion as there were truckloads of people calling for Tate to start (and not all of them from Qld). I'll grant that Eddie's choice of 9s for the first camp suggests that Gordon and Tate are both on the outer, but some of the other selections make me think the whole camp was just a mind game from Eddie anyway, so how much do you read into it?
Chivas
Roar Rookie
The reality also is I don't know DR's mind. His selections at times baffle me, well before he was Wallabies coach. He gives people way too many chances when there is a better option available and games are lost on the back of it. However, on the flipside he gets real buyin from the players and develops depth. But i don't know anybody who thinks Gordon is better than White on Gordons best day and White's worst. I am also not a great fan of Nic White but nor woukd I compare him to Phipps another particular useless halfback. There style and skill is quite different. Tate is more the Phipps mould. Anyway you obviouslythink Gordon is up there and I dont. He's a defective player in my opinion who has some way to go to be considered relevant on the international stage. He barely rates on the SR one and White is respected on both no matter his shortcomings
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
... need Australia even less. There! Finished it for you! :thumbup:
James584
Roar Rookie
If the Kiwis won’t agree we should leave them out. We don’t need them. They, on the other hand …
Big Dave
Roar Rookie
It would be a wild ride, for sure.
Big Dave
Roar Rookie
The reality is, Rennie started White in the first 7 tests last year. After that, he started him in 2 out of 7 (and yes, he was available, he was on the bench for almost all of them). What does that tell you? That Rennie was stoked with how White was going? Sure you can rest a guy for a game or two - but 5? Come on. "Any coach worth their salt would take White every day all day over Gordon. It is not even debatable." Rennie apparently is not worth salt. "When Nic White is available against the top sides in the world or must win games, he is playing". Except for both tests against NZ - or are they no longer a top side? White is an ok half. On his day, better than the alternatives. Is he consistently 'on his day', always demanding selection? No. You're hugely overstating his capabilities and his dominance. If he was from NSW, he'd be regarded as another Nick Phipps. Serviceable, but a guy you'd always be looking to improve on.
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
good luck with that one! :laughing:
Crusher_13
Roar Rookie
I have the solution. RA pays every contracted player directly. No more top ups, you get what you get at market value. In a tiet system: Hooper, White, Valetini are all tier 1 and worth 5 points. Clubs are given 50 points to spend on players. But a 2 point player stays as a 2 point player at the same club for life no matter how much they are paid. This encourages player development and identification.
Crusher_13
Roar Rookie
It won’t. From memory the super rugby teams are only allowed to pay players a specific amount let’s say $240,000 is the maximum amount. So leaving to another club changes nothing.
Bliksem
Roar Rookie
You should ask Forrest why he is not providing 3rd party payments via the ARF. You should also ask RA why they do not support Forrest’s to bring players like Rona back to Australia. I guess if you look at the history of decisions the RA made (supported by the ARF) in relation to WA rugby, he would be fool to trust them. The last time WA trust those people our team was axed so that the RA can spend more money on Tah players like Beale, Isi and Foley.
piru
Roar Rookie
An ideas man!
Rugbynutter
Roar Rookie
Actually open up the borders between nz and oz with players able to represent any super rugby team and their national team and then raise the salary cap .
Rugbynutter
Roar Rookie
White at the rebels would be a great result as gives some much needed experience to be the ying and Yang for Gordon and much needed general for the rebels backine.