Nic White signs new two year deal with Australian Rugby

Tue, Apr 8, 2014, 2:00 AM
AAP
by AAP

Qantas Wallabies and ACT Brumbies scrumhalf Nic White has committed his future to Australian Rugby after signing a new two-year deal that will take him through until the end of 2016.

He becomes the second player this week to finalise a new contract with the ARU, coming just a day after Brumbies teammate Matt Toomua also confirmed a long-term deal.

The 23-year-old scrumhalf was impressive during his maiden Test campaign in 2013 and will now be determined to add to his 10 total caps as the Qantas Wallabies build towards next year’s Rugby World Cup.

“My time with the Wallabies has been incredible. It’s a privilege to represent your country so to commit to two years with Australian rugby is something I’m very proud of,” White said.

“There were some good signs during last year’s Spring Tour and to be a part of that team moving forward is exciting.

“At both national and provincial level, I feel like I have more to build on and more to contribute, so staying in Australia was always the best option for me at this point in my career.”

Qantas Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie said he was delighted White was continuing his career in Australia.

“Nic is an extremely competitive person who boasts a unique set of Rugby skills. He possesses attributes that are important to any team and so isn’t surprising to see the level of consistent success he’s had at the Brumbies and more recently at Test level,” McKenzie said.

“The exciting part is that we are yet to see the best Nic has to offer as he’s only now in his fourth year of Super Rugby since his debut in 2011. He has great potential and we expect him to continue growing as a player over the next few years.

“Nic obviously has strong aspirations to be part of the Qantas Wallabies journey so we’re thrilled he has signed a new two-year deal.”

White bounced back from a season-ending shoulder injury in 2012 to claim his maiden Test cap for the Qantas Wallabies during their opening game of the Castrol EDGE Rugby Championship against the All Blacks in Sydney last year.

White was desperately unlucky not to receive his first Test opportunity a year early, having sat on the bench for all three of the Qantas Wallabies wins over Wales in 2012, before a shoulder operation ended his season at the conclusion of the Brumbies’ Super Rugby campaign.

The two-time Australian representative at the Under-20 Junior World Championship was not deterred as he immediately returned to top form for the Brumbies in 2013 as they featured in their first Super Rugby Final since 2004.

He would go on to win Test selection on 10 occasions, among those being a Man of Gold performance in his first starting opportunity, coming in Australia’s narrow 14-13 victory over Argentina in Perth.

Nic White - Wallaby No.875

Height: 1.75m

Weight: 82kg

Born: 13/06/90 - Scone, Australia

Province: ACT Brumbies

Test Caps: 10

Test Points: 0

Test Debut: 2013 v All Blacks, Sydney

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