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Nic White turns down Japanese mega offer to re-sign with Rugby Australia

By AAP

16 May 2022

(Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)

Veteran halfback Nic White has signed on to help lead Australia to next year’s Rugby World Cup in France.

The No.9 has turned his back on a seven-figure Japan offer and extended terms with both the Brumbies and Rugby Australia until the end of 2023.

Wallabies coach Dave Rennie said it was a coup to have White recommit to Australia ahead of the flagship tournament, with the 31-year-old in vintage form.

The Breakdown | Episode 13 | Sky Sport NZ

“Nic’s one of the best halfbacks in the world and to have him recommit to Australian Rugby is a massive positive for the Wallabies and the Brumbies,” Rennie said.

“He has amazing work ethic, has high expectations of himself and demands the same from those around him.

“Whitey’s a top man, his competitiveness is infectious and he’s playing the house down at the moment.”

White was believed to have wrestled with the massive offer, with his Brumbies and Test teammate Tom Banks reportedly unable to resist a Japanese deal with $1.4 million a year.

Young five-eighth Noah Lolesio also opted to stick with the Brumbies and Wallabies, signing a contract last week.

After stints in France and England, White returned to Australia in 2020 after the last Rugby World Cup in Japan.

He has turned out for the Brumbies 94 times and with 47 Test caps, could reach 50 in the upcoming England series after making his debut in 2013.

I’m really happy to be staying at the club and in Australian rugby,” White said.

“It’s been a long process, but my goal has always been to stay at the Brumbies and to continue to earn the right play for my country.

“The Brumbies are home to me, I love the club and my focus now is fully on the Blues this Saturday and the exciting challenges we have ahead of us.”

With a clever kicking game and feisty demeanour, White has helped the Canberra team to second spot on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder.

He has been Rennie’s first choice at halfback ahead of Queensland Tate McDermott and Jake Gordon of the Waratahs.

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Comments on RugbyPass

Hellhound 23 minutes ago

Brett Robinson's first media briefing as new World Rugby chair

When I first read the article, there was much I wanted to say and nothing very good. I was angry, so I took a step back and reviewed everything I learned. I decides to take the diplomatic route and kept it as simple as I could and just said what my biggest worry was, which was the core of the problem. Or else my reply would have been another article here. Id have preferred Augustin Pichot, but he didn't put his name up again. That is a shame

6 Go to comments

Ml 25 minutes ago

Did Rassie Erasmus miss a trick with his latest South Africa squad?

As I said before, bye now PinkyPedant. I hope you stew over this issue for years to come, and it sours every meal you eat.

55 Go to comments

SteveD 35 minutes ago

Brett Robinson's first media briefing as new World Rugby chair

I should have read your excellent comment before launching my own protest. Dark days IMHO. 🤞 for rugby union's future.

6 Go to comments

SteveD 38 minutes ago

Brett Robinson's first media briefing as new World Rugby chair

"Now we have one of the most competitive football markets in the world and we are the canary in the coalmine in terms of change and dealing with that."

And there lies the rub. We don't care about your problems with Aussie Rules or Rugby League. If you're in the job just to save your union from competition by making our fantastic game more like one-dimensional boring league then all the rest of your promises are just BS. We'll be watching you like hawks to try and keep you in line, but - like Beaumont - you'll probably be able to push through whatever you like and the game will lose once again, but this time potentially terminally. I believe that your selection could be the worst decision WR have ever made.

6 Go to comments

OJohn 1 hour ago

David Campese names his Springbok world player of the year winner

And Scott Robertson not going so well is he.

Not a bad effort but a correction. McKenzie was not born in NSW so is not a Tah. He was born in Victoria. Played for the Brumbies and coached Qld and also played and then later coached NSW, until the self entitled Tah players decided to stab him in the back. And who was the captain of the Tahs at the time leading the back stabbing. Well, well it was none other than Phil Waugh, current Rugby Australia CEO. Who recently tried to deny he had met Suallii at Hamish McLennan's house pre signing, until McLennan outed him recently as a bald faced liar as he was in fact there.

I doubt very much if McKenzie, who was also assistant coach to Eddie Jones in Jones first stint coaching Australia, would appreciate being labelled a Tah, given it was the Tahs Hooper and Beale and Cheika who stabbed him in the back again when he walked away thru lack of support from Hooper and Rugby Australia.

Schmidt might have theoretically better credentials, even tho he dumped Ireland in the brink but he had to start somewhere. You can't argue if you think he is great that Schmidt should never have been given an opportunity.

Schmidt lacks a crucial ingredient. He's not Australian. It does matter, which as a Bokke you would well know.

13 Go to comments

OJohn 1 hour ago

David Campese takes back his Joe Schmidt coaching Australia criticism

Because the two guys primarily in charge of hiring a new coach for Rugby Australia Peter Horne and Phil Waugh, are Tahs. The Chairman of Rugby Australia Daaniel Herbert is from Qld but he's not that bright and weak.

Horne was good friends with Schmidt and they knew if they hired him on a million dollars a year they would own him and he would select Tah players who shouldn't be there . Like Jake Gordon (4th or 5th best halfback in Australia) and similarly for Donaldson). The Tahs are all about being able to brag how many Wallabies they have, even if the Wallabies keep losing because of it. Michael Hooper, the worst Wallaby captain in decades a prime example. He made Taine Randall look great.

37 Go to comments

Ninjin 3 hours ago

'I have full belief that if we play well we can beat South Africa'

Ok if you say so........

2 Go to comments

Bull Shark 3 hours ago