Chiefs’ red hot rivalry taking Nic to new level
EXETER Chiefs had already won their first Premiership title when former Australia scrum-half Nic White arrived at Sandy Park last summer.
Even before his side triumphed at Twickenham to become England’s top team, director of rugby Rob Baxter was looking to build for this season and the signing of White was part of that.
The 27-year-old scrumhalf, capped 22 times by the Wallabies, has brought a new dimension to the Exeter attack with his ability to snipe from the back of the setpiece, allied to a killer long pass and Baxter’s belief that his presence would aid the development of young scrum-half prospects Stuart Townsend and Jack Maunder.
White knew he was signing up to something special when he moved from French side Montpellier but, ahead of next Saturday’s home semifinal play-off against Newcastle, he said: “It’s already exceeded expectations. I knew I was coming into a group that had already won something last season and that it would be an interesting year. The boys have gone hammer and tongs at it again from week one which is something pretty special.
“We’ve put ourselves in a good position and now it’s about building momentum and trying to create something special again this year. I’m glad to be part of it all and to have my role within the team.”
Not that White – one of a four-pronged Devonbased Aussie force alongside Lachie Turner, prop Greg Holmes and flanker Dave Dennis – is taking his place for granted. The former Wallaby admits that he has never experienced such a competitive squad where he has also faced competition from long-time incumbent Will Chudley, who is bound for Bath at the end of the campaign, as well as Townsend and the currently injured Maunder.
“The competition here is just red hot. There’s no position where anyone is guaranteed a spot,” he agreed.
“Every day is a chance to get better, but at the same time you have to be on your A game all the while. There are blokes pushing you everywhere to hit new levels.”
White does not envy the Exeter management when they sit down to pick the team and he added: “Personally, I’d hate to be Rob Baxter when it comes to that semi-final because everyone is putting their hands up.
“It also means that if you do get a chance, you have to make the most of it, not just in games, but in training as well because the coaches are literally watching everything.”