White recalled for Uruguay clash
By Mark Stevens
2/10/19
Wallabies half-back Nic White believes Uruguay will be an unpredictable proposition in a “do-or-die” match for Australia at a Rugby World Cup he says shows the gap is closing between tier one and tier two nations.
Australia have just six days to dust themselves off after a 29-25 loss to Wales and regroup for a match against the 18th-ranked Los Teros.
Japan’s 19-12 victory over Ireland has been the story of the World Cup so far and goes to show that on their day, any lower-ranked side can cause an upset which could have ramifications for the traditional powerhouses.
“It’s a do-or-die game for us and it’s against a team that beat Fiji,” said the Exeter Chiefs star. “Certainly the days of old World Cups where there are two different tiers are gone.
“Anyone can beat anyone on any given day. You’ve certainly got to turn up with a frame of mind to really go after every game and treat it as do-or-die. The days of those old World Cups where you could completely just rest and ease into a game are gone.”
The Wallabies have only played Uruguay once and that was a 65-3 victory at the last World Cup. That day Michael Cheika rested a number of his first-choice team but this time around, with a loss possibly spelling the end of Australia’s campaign, one would imagine selectors will be reluctant to throw a ‘B team’ out on the pitch.
“We’ve certainly got a lot of respect for them … they play with some serious passion,” White said. “They’re going to be physical in terms of what they’re going to throw at us and I think a degree of not knowing may help us. It’s about focusing on ourselves and being ready for anything because they play pretty unpredictable footy. That’s going to be a challenge.”
Against both Fiji and Wales the Wallabies got off to poor starts, but they managed to claw their way back from nine points down against Fiji. However, they could not recover from a 26-8 deficit to get the job done in Tokyo at the weekend despite a late flourish thanks to some spark off the bench from White and Matt Toomua, who are among 12 changes Cheika has made to his side for this latest encounter.
As well as recalls for White and Toomua, Christian Lealiifano takes over at fly-half in place of Bernard Foley, while Jordan Petaia will make his long-awaited debut for the Wallabies and become the youngest Australian to play at a Rugby World Cup when he starts on the left wing.
Cheika has also named all of his players who are yet to earn field time in Japan. Starters Petaia, Tevita Kuridrani, Jack Dempsey, Rob Simmons and Folau Faingaa will get their first taste of rugby at the tournament, along with reserve bench prop Taniela Tupou - the only player yet to earn starting selection.
White said the side needed to perhaps be a little more patient at the start of games and not get carried away with playing in the wider channels.
“We’re looking for the answer at the moment [regarding slow starts] and should we find it, hopefully we do, we are not going to tell you or the opposition,” White said.
“We want to play footy and get out there and maybe we have got to be a little bit more patient early on. Certainly I don’t think it’s a case of us not being ready or wanting it. Maybe we’re too excited. We've just got to build into the game a bit more and maybe show a bit more restraint.
“Our game’s looking really good but we’re just giving teams a leg-up early on. If we can sort that out, the feeling within the group is really good.”
Australia’s bench players in both matches have been excellent and White explained why watching the game play out enables those tasked with coming in the last half an hour to get a decent understanding of their job.
“Starting and finishing are two different roles,” White said. “The beauty of sitting on the bench is you get to look at the game. Matty [Toomua] saw that flattening up and playing on top of Wales with his hard running could potentially help the team and it did. He came on and really brought some direct play there.
“It’s just different for the finishers and we’re getting a lot of pay there. Whoever wears whatever jersey they can do the job starting or finishing through the whole team. We have confidence in everyone.”
Australia side to face Uruguay
15 Kurtley Beale
14 Dane Haylett-Petty
13 Tevita Kuridrani
12 Matt Toomua
11 Jordan Petaia
10 Christian Lealiifano
9 Nic White
8 Jack Dempsey
7 Michael Hooper (capt)
6 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
5 Adam Coleman
4 Rob Simmons
3 Allan Alaalatoa
2 Folau Faingaa
1 James Slipper
16 Jordan Uelese
17 Sekope Kepu
18 Taniela Tupou
19 Rory Arnold
20 David Pocock
21 Will Genia
22 James O’Connor
23 Adam Ashley-Cooper