Nic White could put his international retirement plans on hold following a scrumhalf injury crisis in the Wallabies camp ahead of the 2025 Rugby Championship opener against the Springboks.
The 35-year-old was expected to bow out from Test rugby after starting in Australia’s 22-12 win over the British and Irish Lions in Sydney last weekend. He had also confirmed plans to retire from all professional rugby at the end of 2025.
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However, with Waratahs No 9 Jake Gordon now unlikely to recover in time after suffering a hamstring injury at training, White is poised to continue in the squad for the two-Test tour of South Africa.
Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt suggested that White may have another run left in him. “Whitey will rival me, maybe, in terms of being like Johnny Farnham, there’s one more tour,” Schmidt told The Daily Telegraph (Australia). “We’re not going to take risks with people.”
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White, who impressed against the Lions, has welcomed the possibility of another Test appearance. “If duty calls, I absolutely love wearing the jersey,” he said.
The Wallabies open their Rugby Championship campaign against the Springboks at Ellis Park on 16 August, with the second match scheduled for 23 August in Cape Town.
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