Wallabies scrum-half Nic White calls time on career
He will retire from all professional rugby at the end of 2025.
"Pulling on the gold jersey was a dream of mine when I was a young boy and to say I've done it 72 times, with one last crack on Saturday night, is something I'm incredibly proud of," said White.
"There's been great competition for the nine jersey here in the Wallabies for a number of years.
"It feels like the right time to pass on the baton with some more good young players coming through who will need time in the saddle leading into what's going to be an unbelievable experience of a home Rugby World Cup in 2027."
White made his Super Rugby debut with the ACT Brumbies in 2011, helping them to the tournament title two years later.
He spent five years with Montpellier and the Exeter Chiefs before returning home for three more seasons with the Brumbies before moving to Western Force ahead of the 2024 Super Rugby campaign.
A shoulder injury saw him miss the 2013 British and Irish Lions series, but he bounced back to become a fixture of the national team.
"First and foremost Nic is a great man to have in a squad. He's team first all the time and has been at the top of the game for over a decade," said Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
France 24
2 hours ago
- France 24
Farrell says debate over Australia as Lions destination 'insulting'
The Lions are seeking a series whitewash when they clash for the final time in Sydney on Saturday, having won the first Test in Brisbane comfortably before edging a nail-biter at Melbourne last weekend. Should they complete a clean sweep, it would be the first time since 1974 that they have gone through a Test series unbeaten. They have won all eight tour games so far. Australia, part of a four-year rotation with New Zealand and South Africa as Lions destinations, are sixth in the world rankings, having dropped as low as 10 after a horror 2023 World Cup. It has sparked chatter that the Lions should seek tougher competition and better commercial opportunities elsewhere, with Argentina and France said to be keen for a slice of the action. But Farrell said it was not on his radar and would be a mistake to dismiss Australia. "I don't think it was ever on the agenda, in my opinion," Farrell told British media Friday of any threat to Australia as hosts. "It would be tragic for us not to tour here. We've had a blast, and to me it's insulting to even talk about it in that type of way." Australia are undergoing a rebuild with coach Joe Schmidt after being dumped out of the 2023 World Cup at the pool stages for the first time when Eddie Jones was at the helm. Schmidt has been credited with bringing stability and a new work ethic, while blooding a lot of young players, with his efforts seen as work in progress. "Every single team, country, province has their ups and downs, but Australia with the sporting nation they are, are always going to come back," added Farrell. "That performance (by Australia) on the weekend was no surprise to us, and that's why we expect them to be better on Saturday. "Have a look at the year they've got coming up. They're going to be a force to be reckoned with 100 percent, through all their experiences, come the World Cup in 2027." The Lions first toured Australia in 1888.
France 24
3 hours ago
- France 24
Wallabies' Tizzano absent from third Lions Test after online abuse
Tizzano was swept up by controversy in the final minutes of the second Test in Melbourne when he was cleaned out of the last ruck of the game with a hit to the neck by the Lions' Jac Morgan. The Welshman's actions went unpunished by the officials, to Australia's fury, and Hugo Keenan's resulting 79th minute match-winning try was allowed to stand. In the aftermath, Tizzano was accused of "diving" to try and win a penalty when he sprung backwards and fell to the ground in dramatic fashion. Former Lions skipper Sam Warburton said the Australian "made a real meal of it". "He's had a really tough week, Carlo. He's copped a lot of online abuse," Schmidt told reporters late Thursday. "I've advised Carlo to stay away from the media full stop, and the opinions that are out there." When asked about the issue, Lions coach Andy Farrell said: "Online abuse, it's clear and obvious, it's disgusting. It shouldn't be that way." Schmidt defended the way Tizzano came out of the ruck, saying it was a matter of physics. "There were just over 54 Gs of force that went directly through the neck ... which is enough to cause serious injury, although not to a rugby player who is as well conditioned as Carlo. "But he's probably best just left to take a deep breath. "We are all aware of Newton's third law -- for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction," Schmidt added. "When that force hits him and the speed of his head collapsing down, he recoiled out the back of the ruck. "I don't think he wanted to recoil like that but that's the nature of force. That there is an equal and opposite reaction." World Rugby this week defended the officials' decision-making during the Test and took issue with Schmidt questioning the governing body's commitment to player safety. The third and final Test is in Sydney on Saturday, with the Lions gunning for a whitewash after winning the first two.
France 24
13 hours ago
- France 24
Mitchell keeps New Zealand on top against Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe were 31 for two at the close, still 127 runs short of making New Zealand bat again. It was a disappointing end to the day for the home side, who fought back strongly before Mitchell re-asserted New Zealand's control. Fast bowlers Blessing Muzarabani and Tanaka Chivanga extracted pace and bounce from the pitch as New Zealand slipped from their overnight 92 for no wicket to 233 for seven in reply to Zimbabwe's first innings total of 149. Muzarabani had Will Young caught at short leg for 41 off the first ball of the day and followed up with two more wickets to finish with three for 73. Chivanga (two for 51) dismissed top-scorer Devon Conway (88) and Tom Blundell in successive overs as Zimbabwe entertained hopes of restricting New Zealand's lead to around 100. But Nathan Smith provided dogged support for Mitchell as the pair batted through until tea and then saw off the second new ball. The pair added 61 runs before Smith was forced to retire hurt with an abdominal injury after scoring 22 off 79 balls. Smith did not field when Zimbabwe started their second innings, which suggested the injury could prevent him from bowling on Friday. Mitchell was last man out after facing 119 balls and hitting five fours and a six. Faced with just under an hour to bat until the close, Zimbabwe made a promising start, with Brian Bennett and Ben Curran putting on 25 for the first wicket. But Matt Henry, who took six for 39 in the first innings, made the breakthrough with a bouncer to Curran (11) which the left-hander top-edged to fine leg. Five balls later Will O'Rourke had Bennett caught behind for 18, leaving Zimbabwe with a massive task if they are to take the match into a fourth day, let alone avoiding their seventh defeat in nine Test matches since last December.
