Wallabies scrum-half Nic White is pushing for a shock Bledisloe Cup return as the side heads to New Zealand for the first Test match on August 7.
White was ruled out of the France series after suffering a knee injury during the build-up.
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With the Bledisloe series set to start in six days time at Eden Park, White was optimistic about getting the green light to return as he resumes full training.
“It’s coming along really well. Just taking it day-by-day which is really cliche but it’s feeling really good,” White said before the side left for NZ.
“I’m back training now so fingers crossed I’m able to contribute in some capacity over the next couple of weeks.
“I hope so (being available for this Saturday), I’m still rehab running but I’m hoping to get over to New Zealand with a far bit of time up my sleeve and should be able to train with the side.
“Dr Nick said it should be good to go.”
After their thrilling series victory over France, the Brumbies scrumhalf believes the experience will be invaluable for the young side as they face breaking a 19-year Bledisloe drought against the Kiwis.
“Some new guys got some great experience in some high pressure situations,” he believes. “That French team is a bloody good team, and that last game especially, going a man down, it’s a lot of pressure there to win a series on home soil.
“Guys, I thought, showed a lot of ticker there and I think it’s only going to hold us in good stead. Sometimes we get the ABs first game of the test season, it was good to have someone else to warm into these games.
“We’re going to be in a place to come over here and give it a real shake.”
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White sensed a shift in attitude and momentum in the side as they head to the notorious graveyard that has been Eden Park, with Australia winless since 1986.
“It was tough (watching from the sidelines). A couple of close games and I’m not sure how guys do it, especially coaches,” White joked.
“It’s head-in-mouth stuff there, but, like I said, coming off the back of a good series win, great confidence, guys getting a lot of game time, experience, and that’s going to be valuable going over to New Zealand.
“We’re going to the cauldron of Eden Park and it’s going to be a step-up again. It’s coming off some good experience there and it feels like this time’s a little bit different.”
