White: Cup snub will fire me up for Exeter
REVVED-UP Aussie maestro Nic White has revealed why he rejected the chance to fight for a place at the 2019 World Cup in favour of spearheading Exeter’s trophy charge.
Scrum-half White, 27, suffered the heartbreak of being left out of Australia’s World Cup squad two years ago – Will Genia and Nick Phipps were selected instead – but could have thrown his hat in the ring again following his recent two-year stint at Top 14 side Montpellier.
However, the former ACT Brumbie joined Chiefs instead, telling The Rugby
Paper: “Going back to Australia certainly crossed my mind and I had conversations with (Australia coaches) Stephen Larkham and Michael Cheika, but I felt I had unfinished business in Europe.
“My own form wasn’t as good as I’d wanted in Montpellier and I didn’t want to go home and have that feeling of not having acquitted myself as well as I’d have liked. So, hopefully, I can come to Exeter now and make this place home for as long as I possibly can.
“It was a tough decision for me and it will be hard to make a World Cup now, but I’m pleased to have the opportunity to play some good footy and repay some faith.”
White starred for Australia in their last win over New Zealand in August 2015, with his 10 points late in the game clinching a 27-19 victory and, with it, the Rugby Championship title.
His heroics cut little ice with Cheika, though, who ruthlessly omitted the livewire pivot.
White recalled: “Being left out in 2015 will hurt for a long time, probably until after I’ve finished rugby as well, but that’s just fire in the belly now and I use that as motivation each day.
“I missed out on the opportunity of a World Cup but I didn’t want to miss out on any other opportunities here at Exeter to play in big games and win trophies.”
Explaining his choice of Exeter, White said: “The way they’ve played over the last few years, I think anyone who’s watched these players has fallen in love with their style.
“It’s pretty well known across Europe that Exeter is just about everyone’s favourite second team in the way they leave everything out on the field and they’re really good to watch.
“I’ve kept a pretty close eye on the English scene and since the back end of last year I’ve known I was coming, so I’ve watched a lot of footy and the English competition is going from strength to strength, with Exeter leading in both defence and attack.
“They’re playing great rugby and that suits my style. I like to play a quickpaced game with the ball in play and the way this competition is going, it will suit me a little better than the French way where things are a bit slower and more forward-orientated.”
Coming from the Top 14 where constant coaching changes and talk of mergers blighted last season’s competition, White is looking forward to more stable surroundings.
“I did enjoy Montpellier but at the same time it was very chaotic,” he said. “There was always drama going on off the field but that’s just the way the Top 14 operates from the top down.
“Coaches were coming and going, there were games when we didn’t know if we’d be playing and there was the merger business with Stade Francais and Racing 92 – all sorts of stuff – but that’s part of the beauty of the Top 14 and it was certainly entertaining!
“France was something I wanted to experience but I’m thankful to be at Exeter now and hopefully they can get the best out of me and kick-start my career.”
To achieve that, White acknowledges he must battle past Premiership final No.9s Will Chudley,
below left, and Stu Townsend, right, as well as recently capped England scrum-half Jack Maunder, centre. He said: “Those two young guys (Townsend and Maunder) got thrown in at the deep end last year and exceeded all expectations. Will Chudley has obviously been down here for a while now and he’s certainly a good player, so somebody will be upset.
“But I can already tell from my first couple of weeks here that we’re pushing each other and whoever gets the job will be doing the best for the team. It’s ‘team first’ here and the depth of the squad in all positions is going to be a real strength of the club.”
Premiership champions Exeter have made no secret of their desire to conquer Europe and White’s recent experience with Montpellier could prove vital.
The 22-cap Wallaby added: “Winning the Challenge Cup with Montpellier in 2016 was a good experience and it was great to get a Champions Cup campaign under my belt last season.
“Exeter are the hunted now but I’m at an age where I feel my experience can really benefit a team and as well as going after the Premiership again, hopefully I can help this team go further in Europe this year and we’re gunning for quarters, semis and finals.”