White starts against Springboks

By Mark Stevens
19/7/19

Nic White will make his first Test start in almost four years after being named in the Australia side to tackle South Africa tomorrow in the Rugby Championship opener at Ellis Park (4:05pm).

The 29-year-old was recalled to the Wallabies ranks earlier this month after he was headhunted by Rugby Australia’s high performance manager Ben Whitaker a year ago about a return home.

While no guarantees were made to the former Brumbies half-back that he would be drafted straight into the side, his selection is testament to his desire to wear the Wallabies jersey and his accurate, measured performances for Exeter Chiefs over the past two years.

“There was a seed planted there and, again, I didn’t think it was something that was going to come to fruition, but once the conversations became more regular I got pretty excited,” said White, who last pulled on the famous gold jersey in August 2015 against the All Blacks.

“I probably thought it was something that was going to be post World Cup with the exodus, but the chance to go to a World Cup came about, and I made a few calls and obviously Exeter had to help out in that regard and they were happy to help, and here I am giving it a crack.”

Elsewhere, head coach Michael Cheika appears to have covered all bases in terms of his selection including debutants, redemption stories and players rewarded for Super Rugby form.

In the forwards, Fijian-born Melbourne backrower Isi Naisarani has been named to make his Wallabies debut, while several front-row injuries see prop Harry Johnson-Holmes parachuted straight into the squad, after only arriving in Johannesburg on Wednesday night.

Veteran loosehead James Slipper will make his return to test rugby, after more than two years out, while in the back division White is joined by Tevita Kuridrani who will partner newly-appointed vice-captain Samu Kerevi in the centres, resuming their combination for the first time since 2017, and Brumbies secret weapon Tom Banks gets his first start at full-back, after an impressive Super Rugby season.

Bernard Foley starts at fly-half after Brumbies playmaker Christian Lealiifano was sent home midweek with a shoulder injury.

Despite the team not being at full-strength, Cheika said they would be going all out for win, as they looked to build momentum into September's World Cup.

"This is an opportunity for our team," Cheika said. "We really want to begin building momentum to take us towards our goals in 2019. I'm feeling a lot of belief and commitment from the people in this Wallaby squad. They've all invested a ton of effort into our preparation and I know the 23 men selected to represent us all on Saturday will do us proud."

The Wallabies haven't played South Africa in Johannesburg since a record 53-8 defeat in 2008 and haven't won at Ellis Park since 1963.

Wallabies: 1 James Slipper, 2 Folau Fainga'a, 3 Sekope Kepu; 4 Izack Rodda, 5 Rory Arnold; 6 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 7 Michael Hooper (capt), 8 Isi Naisarani; 9 Nic White, 10 Bernard Foley; 11 Reece Hodge, 12 Samu Kerevi, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 14 Dane Haylett-Petty; 15 Tom Banks. Replacements: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Rob Simmons, 20 Jack Dempsey, 21 Will Genia, 22 Matt To'omua, 23 Kurtley Beale