Veteran halfback Nic White to start for Wallabies against Springboks
The Wallabies have made a handful of changes to their starting team for Saturday’s return battle with South Africa.
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Chirpy halfback Nic White is set to provide some much-needed “voice” to the Wallabies team after being named in Australia’s starting side for the first time this year for Saturday night’s Rugby Championship clash with South Africa.
As expected, powerful winger Marika Koroibete will also make his Wallabies return at Perth’s Optus Stadium, replacing the injured Filipo Daugunu, who broke his leg in Australia’s 33-7 loss to the Springboks last Saturday in Brisbane.
Overall there are five changes to the team that started against the world champions at Suncorp Stadium, while young gun Max Jorgensen and versatile forward Seru Uru are poised to make their Test debuts off the bench.
Three of the changes to the starting outfit are in the pack, with loosehead prop Angus Bell, hooker Josh Nasser and lock Angus Blyth coming in for Isaac Kailea, Matt Faessler and Nick Frost respectively.
The inclusions of Western Force’s White, 34, who replaces the axed Jake Gordon, and Japan-based Koroibete complete the alteration to the Australian 15 that will start the contest.
“Nic’s on his home turf and just give us a bit of voice,” Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said.
“The reality is that we need to be more combative and accurate this Saturday.”
White said it was “exciting” to be a starter again.
“I’ve got an opportunity now – I’ve got to go out there and make the most of it,” the former Brumbies star said.
“I’d be lying if (I said) I didn’t really think too much about it in terms of thinking about he team and what we need to do.
“Nothing changes from where I’ve been. It’s just about preparing the side whether it was starting, on the bench or out of the team.
“We’ve been working hard this week. Obviously we’ve got a few things we’ve got to fix.
“We certainly saw where the benchmark is. They (South Africa) are right at the top of the tree and now we know what that looks and feels like … and nothing changes in terms of my attitude towards doing my best to help the guys around me and help the team, and first and foremost looking after my own game.”
There have also been changes to the bench, with uncapped pair Jorgensen and Uru called into the 23-man match-day squad along with hooker Billy Pollard, flanker Tom Hooper and flyhalf Ben Donaldson.
Waratahs back Jorgensen is the son former Wallaby Peter Jorgensen, while Fiji-born Queensland Reds star Uru can cover a few spots in the forward pack.
Schmidt said teenager Jorgensen, who was denied a Rugby World Cup spot last year through injury, had a “quiet confidence” about him”.
“Max has trained well, which gives him confidence, which gives the players around him confidence,” Schmidt said.
“He’s one of our quicker players. He’s good on his feet, and for a young man who will be stepping into the Test arena against the world champions, he has a quiet confidence about him.”
Wallabies: Angus Bell, Josh Nasser, Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Blyth, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Rob Valetini, Carlo Tizzano, Harry Wilson, Nic White, Noah Lolesio, Marika Koroibete, Hunter Paisami, Len Ikitau, Andrew Kellaway, Tom Wright. Bench: Billy Pollard, James Slipper, Zane Nonggorr, Tom Hooper, Seru Uru, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Max Jorgensen.
Originally published as Veteran halfback Nic White to start for Wallabies against Springboks
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