'F*** I’m gonna miss it': Wallabies veteran Nic White retires, again

Nic White is hanging up the boots, and for good this time, it seems. The 77-Test Wallaby had previously retired following July’s British & Irish Lions Series, only to return for four more starting appearances over the four opening rounds of the Rugby Championship.

The 35-year-old’s return was the result of an SOS call from the Wallabies, who had lost the services of fellow halfback Jake Gordon and were in need of some reinforcements. Now, with the Waratahs’ halfback back on deck, White’s farewell has finally come.

A simple caption accompanied an 18-image post on social media, reading “F*** I’m gonna miss it”. The second-to-last image in the post was of White’s most recent game jersey, showing ‘Test 77’ printed on the side, with ‘& out!’ written next to it by hand.

 

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A handful of his Wallabies teammates were quick to jump in the comment section and joke about another unretirement, and were joined by many more celebrating the career of the Wallabies’ third-most capped halfback.

The team’s second-most capped halfback, Will Genia (110), also retired this year, while the No.1 most capped is George Gregan (139), who finished up his professional career in 2009.

White retires having played for both the Brumbies and Western Force in Super Rugby, Montpellier in the Top 14, and Exeter Chiefs in the Premiership.

White became Wallaby #875 with his Test match debut against the All Blacks in Sydney in 2013. His departure from Australian Rugby in 2015 followed a controversial omission from the Wallabies’ 2015 Rugby World Cup squad. He returned to Australia in 2019, in time to earn selection for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

“Pulling on the gold jersey was a dream of mine when I was a young boy in Scone, and to say I’ve done it 72 times, with one last crack on Saturday night, is something I’m incredibly proud of and a privilege I’ve never taken for granted,” White said in a statement prior to the third and final Lions Test.

“Rugby has given me so much to be grateful for.  I’ve made some incredible memories, some lifelong friendships and had the opportunity to see the world.

“There’s been great competition for the nine jersey here in the Wallabies for a number of years and it feels like the right time to pass on the baton with some more good young players coming through who will need time in the saddle leading into what’s going to be an unbelievable experience of a home Rugby World Cup in 2027.

“In the meantime, I’ll keep working hard with the Western Force, who have been an incredible support for me and my family since we moved west nearly two years ago.

“Hanging up the boots for good at the end of the year will also allow me to spend more time with my wife Mel and three boys Leo, Sonny and Vinnie – which is something I’m massively looking forward to.

“There’s plenty of others who I owe a drink to for their support during my career, and I look forward to repaying that tab at the Maitland Blacks clubhouse, Assembly in Canberra or the Brisbane Hotel after a Force game in Perth.”