Ex-Wallaby’s next move revealed: Nic White lands Super Rugby coaching role

Former Wallabies scrum-half Nic White has taken up a new role at the Western Force, joining the club’s coaching staff ahead of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season. White will focus on skills as one of four assistants under head coach Simon Cron.

White made 135 appearances during a decorated 15-year Super Rugby career, enjoying stints with the ACT Brumbies and Force. The 35-year-old made 23 appearances for the Perth-based side before hanging up the boots after last season.

The lively halfback initially retired after the Wallabies defeated the British & Irish Lions 22-12 at Sydney’s Accor Stadium last August, only to backflip on those plans soon after. An injury to Jake Gordon saw White play on a bit longer at Test level, finishing with 77-Test caps.

Having acted in similar roles with the Wallabies and Brumbies before, White brings invaluable experience and leadership back to the Force for 2026. White joins James Stannard, Brad Harris and Craig Dunlea in the quartet of assistant coaches.

“We’re delighted to have Nic stay within our four walls and come on board as an assistant coach,” Cron said in a statement.

“He has a wealth of experience as a player, he’s familiar with our group and he’ll bring specialist insights for our developing players in a high mentorship role.

“He has a very competitive mentality that will help drive standards and expectations.

“For Nic, this role gives him an apprenticeship with specific targets and touchpoints and an insight into the other side of the game, coaching.

“Nic’s appointment also allows symmetry from the coaching group and adds a different challenge to allow us to grow and evolve.”

White featured in 11 Super Rugby Pacific matches for the Force last season, which included nine starts. The No. 9 would later captain the Force against the British & Irish Lions before returning to the national side, coming off the bench against Fiji in Newcastle.

Gordon and Tate McDermott were selected in the matchday 23 for the first two Lions Series matches before White got a run in the First XV in the third Test, playing 58 minutes in what was believed to be his farewell international fixture.

White returned to the Wallabies set-up for two matches away to the world champion Springboks and another couple of Tests at home to Los Pumas. The Wallabies veteran started all four of those matches before officially calling time on his esteemed international career.

“This is an exciting step for me. This feels like the natural progression for me out of playing to move into coaching,” White reflected.

“I know this playing group really well and I feel that I’ve got heaps to offer them. My mind is still there but I can’t do it physically anymore.

“I can’t wait to work with the players and coaches and optimistic about where we can go.”