Nic White talks facing his Brumbies successor in return to Canberra
Nic White admits facing off against the ACT Brumbies for the first time will be emotional, but says he can't let the occasion distract him from getting the job done for his new club.
The Western Force recruit won't enter GIO Stadium for Saturday's Super Rugby Pacific encounter looking for gratitude from Brumbies fans, but rather for a breakthrough win for his struggling side.
White, who was squeezed out of the Brumbies' future plans after more than 100 games for the club, saw plenty of similarities between his old and new home.
"There's many similarities around what's happening ... people coming from a lot of different backgrounds, from different states, feeling like it's their last chance (after) being sent packing from other places," he said.
"We're building at the moment, we're in a different place to where the Brumbies are, but in terms of culture and what's happening over there too, there's a really good feel around what's happening.
"There's certainly no panic stations around what we're doing, it's just about doing it better and doing it for longer periods of time, there's been some really good glimpses both with the ball in attack and in defence."
White and his replacement No.9 at the Brumbies Ryan Lonergan showed no signs of animosity at a press conference on Friday morning, with the Force halfback paying tribute to his adversary's growth in their time playing together.
"He was rapidly overtaking me anyway," White said with a laugh.
"I don't think 'Lonners' has probably got the plaudits he deserves over the last couple of years.
"He'll continue to grow and he's just needed time in the saddle, and obviously I was taking a little bit of that off him while being here … part of the decision I made (to leave) was to let a guy like that flourish."
Ahead of what will be the first time the two halfbacks have faced off, Lonergan credited plenty of his progression as a player to his former mentor.
"His ability and then how he just drives the standards of others, he's brilliant at that," he said.
"I've heard he's been doing all that over there at the Force as well, that's what every great No.9 has got to do.
"I took a lot away from what he does in and around the group.
"I've been building towards (starting) for a fair while now and I feel pretty comfortable ... (but) I've got to keep performing and keep driving the boys."
Latest Comments
Great piece Nick, plenty to chew on. Loved this ‘biases’ line from Geoff, shows he is a thinker - “If you asked me for a shortlist of coaches who appealed to my biases, he would be on it.” I think Schmidt is towing a similar line to Rennie in regards to OS players, he is publicly saying he prefers local talent, but almost certainly will be fighting to have the likes of skelton in the team. Interesting to hear the backroom on the rebels and what a cockup that is, just when you think RA admin has hit rock bottom it digs deeper. Other bit that caught my eye was his skills focus on things like passing from 7s at the base of the lineout, great little details. but also scary that a SR level 8 didn’t know how to operate within a lineout - telling!
Go to commentsShannon Frizell’s second year is optional is how I heard it. Given nothing has been confirmed yet it gets more and more likely he signs to return next year. Cant wait to see Finau doing more work on Internal players.
Go to comments