White impresses on Test return
By Mark Stevens
23/7/19
Nic White says a week is enough time for Australia to iron out the kinks and deliver an improved Rugby Championship performance against Argentina in Brisbane on Saturday.
On his first Test run-out for almost four years, the Exeter Chiefs scrum-half was unable to prevent the Wallabies from crashing 35-17 to South Africa in Johannesburg.
Two bombed first half tries would have given Australia the half-time lead at Ellis Park and perhaps a different result, but White felt he and his team=mates weren’t a million miles away from producing a complete performance.
“It may have been a little bit clunky but we feel that we’re putting a few things in place and that we’re not far away,” he said. “We are trying to do things a bit differently so there’s going to be a few teething problems but I felt like in that first half when we were patient we were creating opportunities.
“If a few of those opportunities go to hand that game looks a lot different so it’s not panic stations. We need to work on a few things and make sure we take those moments and I think that’s something we can turn around in a week.”
Last Saturday's Test was White’s first in four years after taking his career offshore, firstly via Montpellier in France and - for the past two seasons - right here in Devon, where he has helped the Chiefs to reach successive Premiership Finals.
White, though, showed the break from international status had done little harm as he put in a polished performance in the number nine jersey.
“It’s good to be back, but I want the results now,” he added. “We’ve got to be able to take opportunities when they come and if those ones come, I’m happy to take them.”
White may cross paths with his former Exeter team-mate Santiago Cordero, who sat out the Pumas’ 20-16 loss to the All Blacks.
White said the 25-year-old winger, who was a standout with the Chiefs before signing for Bordeaux, was hard to handle.
“That bloke can dead-set step blokes in a phone box,” White said. “I’ve obviously played against a few other Argie boys and they are tough guys to play. They are a good team and they’re very athletic, muscly guys ... we’re going to have our hands full.”
Argentina upset the Wallabies on the Gold Cost last year and will take some confidence from the All Blacks game and the Super Rugby performance of the Jaguares, who reached the final.
Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika is likely to make changes for tactical and form reasons, as well as to freshen up the side after the long haul from Johannesburg.
Marika Koroibete, who missed the Springboks match due to a new baby, will come in to add some much-needed strike power on the wing. Christian Lealiifano may replace Bernard Foley depending on his shoulder injury, while there could be some changes to the second row despite a solid performance.
With injuries to four leading props, the front-row may be a case of who’s available, with Scott Sio (adductor) hopeful to play.