Major boost for Wallabies’ World Cup campaign with halfback Nic White set to sign new deal
A Test halfback in the way back, a Queensland coach heads south, two up in Tah land, and new bench trial to be unveiled in under-20s championship — check inside for all the latest rugby news and rumours.
Wallabies
Don't miss out on the headlines from Wallabies. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Johnson knows how tough it is for gay players
- Why Western Sydney clash is special for Tahs star Beale
Nic White is returning to Australia and will be available for the Wallabies at the World Cup.
The halfback is poised to sign a deal with Rugby Australia that will see him immediately become eligible for the 2019 Cup campaign, although due to contractual obligations with his English club Exeter, he is unlikely to become available in Super Rugby for the Brumbies until 2021.
It is a major boost for Australia’s World Cup hopes, and planning beyond.
Nick Phipps is leaving after this season to join London Irish, while Will Genia is tipped to sign a contract extension with RA with a clause allowing him to play in Japan’s Top League in 2020.
Rugby Confidential understands Genia will play for Kintetsu in 2020, leaving the Wallabies No. 9 jersey vacant next year.
White’s experience will be valuable this year and next.
The 28-year-old met with Wallabies coach Michael Cheika in England recently and was urged to consider returning.
Cheika left White out of his World Cup squad in England, so if picked this will be White’s first campaign for the William Webb Ellis trophy.
He played 22 Tests for Australia between 2013-15, famously scoring the winning try against the All Blacks in Sydney in the 2015 Bledisloe Cup clash.
White left Australia to join French club Montpellier that year, before joining Exeter in 2017 where he has been starring in the English premiership.
Genia is a lock for the starting No. 9 spot at the World Cup, while Phipps, Jake Gordon and Joe Powell are jostling for the back-up spot.
Queensland’s Tate McDermott has been playing well but won’t be risked at Test level this year.
White’s impending return throws a cat among the pigeons in the halfback race, however, with only three to be taken to Japan.
Last December, White told BBC Radio he still harboured ambitions to play for Australia at the World Cup despite rules preventing overseas-based players from selection unless they qualify through the 60-Test Giteau Law which he does not.
"I'm only 28, I think I'm getting better with every game, I haven't closed the door, but they're decisions that aren't up to me,” White said.
But signing a contract with RA would instantly make White eligible. Expect the news to be confirmed in coming weeks.
**********
The Waratahs got in the spirit of Anzac Day with an impromptu game of two up before training yesterday.
There was no booze allowed because all the boys had to get straight on the paddock to prepare for tomorrow’s night’s game at Bankwest Stadium but a few small bank notes did change hands.
Most of the players and staff got involved after they set up a makeshift ring outside the gymnasium at the team’s practice facility at Daceyville.
And everyone seemed to know what they were doing, although Welsh defensive coach Steve Tandy did give the appearance of someone wondering what it was all about.
**********
Nick Stiles is set to return to Super Rugby.
The former Queensland head coach is now plying his trade in Japan, however we hear he will become assistant to Dave Wessels at the Melbourne Rebels next year.
Talk is that Geoff Parling is set to depart the club and Stiles, who consulted with the Rebels last year on scrums, will take over as forwards coach.
Stiles had an unsuccessful stint as Reds head coach in 2016 and was replaced by Brad Thorn.
********
There will be a new era of bench selection unveiled when the Junior Wallabies play Japan on Friday night on the Gold Coast.
World Rugby has proposed a trial allowing coaches to select match-day squads of 28 instead of 23. Coaches will still only be allowed to pick eight players from the pine during the game, but will have the option of picking any eight of 13 on their bench.
This will be trialled during the Oceania under-20s Championship starting this week.
The Junior Wallabies squad to play Japan is: 15. Isaac Lucas 14. Triston Reilly 13. Joey Walton 12. Noah Lolesio 11. Mark Nawanqanitwaswe 10. Will Harrison 9. Henry Robertson 8. Will Harris 7. Fraser McReight (captain) 6. Harry Wilson 5. Trevor Hosea 4. Esei Ha’angana 3. Josh Nasser 2. Lachlan Lonergan 1. Angus Bell.
Reserves: 16. Joe Cotton 17. Liam Usher 18. Darcy Breen 19. Egan Siggs 20. Max Douglas 21. Michael Wood 22. Patrick Tafa 23. Carlo Tizzano 24. Michael McDonald 25. Ben Donaldson 26. Sione Tui 27. Kye Oates 28. Byron Ralston.
Originally published as Major boost for Wallabies’ World Cup campaign with halfback Nic White set to sign new deal