Nic White has been described as the ‘ultimate competitor’ by Joe Schmidt.
The man with the moustache has enjoyed a glittering career at the top of the game, with this being his 73rd Test appearance for Australia.
He began playing for the Wallabies back in 2013 during a Test match against Argentina in Perth and would go on to become the side’s first-choice scrum half, scoring six tries for his national side.
White had wanted to run the water in tonight’s match, but Schmidt had other ideas.
‘Whitey’s got such massive respect inside the squad that it seemed a fitting way for him to finish,’ the Wallabies boss said.
‘I’m not a sentimentalist. It’s a Test match, and you pick people who are capable of playing that Test match – and we believe that Nic is.’
And that was reflected this week when the Wallabies paid homage to their retiring team-mate, by turning up for their squad photo shoot all wearing moustaches.
‘Nic has an excellent kicking game. He has the confidence of the players, and he has a really good game under his belt against Fiji I thought he played really well against the British and Irish Lions for the Western Force. He’s built his way into contention,’ Schmidt added.
Now, White has revealed what it means to him to play for Australia.
‘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.
‘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.’
