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Day finally arrives for Nic White that he expected never would

By Online Editors
Nic White practises his passing. (Photo by Lee Warren/Gallo Images via Getty Images)

The on-field field reunion of Wallabies halves Nic White and Christian Lealiifano for the Bledisloe Cup showdown with the All Blacks was one they doubted would ever happen.

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The former Brumbies teammates have both overcome their own challenges to start for the first time together in a Test as they try to stop New Zealand in Perth on Saturday night.

White has ousted Test veteran Will Genia to wear the No.9 jersey at Optus Stadium while Lealiifano has won the five-eighth role ahead of Bernard Foley.

After five years playing together in Canberra a disillusioned White took his rugby career to Europe at the end of 2015 while Lealiifano faced a battle with leukaemia that threatened more than his playing days.

White returned this year to chase his World Cup dream while Lealiifano played his first Test in three years when he helped the Wallabies beat Argentina 20-16 last month.

White said the pair had spoken about playing together again but didn’t think it was likely.

“It is (surreal),” White said.

“It’s something we spoke about before I’d even come back (to Australia) and we didn’t think we’d play together.

“We’re obviously pretty close off the field and talking to him (Lealiifano), I told him I can’t really put it into words.

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“It’s pretty special, on the back of what he’s gone through, to be able to play with each other again.”

He said they would push sentiment aside to focus on the challenge of a rare Bledisloe Cup win.

White was part of a 27-19 victory in Sydney in 2015, and memorably scored a try.

But he didn’t need to be reminded about what happened in the return match in Auckland a week later when they went down 41-13.

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“I drew a bit of confidence but also went over to Auckland a week later and copped a bit of a hiding so also saw the other side of the sword.

“They’re a great team, but it’s four years on now so it’s very different.”

– AAP

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Trevor 5 minutes ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 4 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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