White in Wallabies World Cup squad

By Mark Stevens
23/8/19

Four years after narrowly missing out on featuring at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, Exeter Chiefs star Nic White has made the Wallabies' squad for this year's tournament in Japan.

The 29-year-old was today named as one of two half-backs named by Australian coach Michael Cheika, joining veteran Will Genia for the tournament in Japan from September 20.

White, who joined the Chiefs in 2017 from French Top14 side Montepellier, has been included in the Wallabies' 31-man squad together with utility back James O’Connor - who has also been plying his trade in the Gallagher Premiership with Sale Sharks - and who are both eligible under the so-called Giteau Law.

Cheika devised the policy in 2015 to allow overseas-based players to be eligible to play for the Wallabies. He brought back Matt Giteau, for whom the law was named, and Drew Mitchell back from France for the World Cup that year.

Previously, players had to play for Super Rugby clubs in Australia to be eligible to play for the Wallabies, but the Giteau Law created a whole new pool of offshore talent by relaxing the eligibility rules.

Under it, overseas players who have played 60 Tests or commit to an Australian Super Rugby team for two years after the World Cup to qualify for selection.

O’Connor and White were specifically targeted for the Wallabies World Cup squad and although two players may not sound like a lot, the fact both players have been selected will be a major boost to Cheika, who brought Matt Toomua back from Leicester Tigers last season and has also tried to draft in Saracens powerhouse lock Will Skelton.

Having moved overseas to play in France and subsequently here in Devon since being dropped by Cheika just prior to the 2015 tournament, the former ACT Brumbies No.9 was recently recalled to the national team.

White now has 26 Tests to his name, lining up in this year's Rugby Championships and scoring a try in Australia's 47-26 win over New Zealand in Perth earlier this month.

"We've become a really tight group and it was a very difficult process in picking only 31 players, but I know each player selected will travel to Japan with the full support of those team mates who won't board the flight," Cheika said. "We have worked really hard at building each week and each game so far this season, and play a brand of rugby that Australia would be proud of and get every player contributing towards the outcome.

"It's also important that we select a squad that will handle the tournament play and our draw in particular at the Rugby World Cup, as well as maintain a strong competition for places in the team. These next few weeks are about building and adding that little extra edge as a squad and we'll be working hard to make sure we deliver on the qualities we want people to see when we run out on the field in Japan.

"We have five extra train-on members coming with us to New Caledonia and then we'll return to take on Samoa, who we have had great clashes with in the past."

WALLABIES SQUAD FOR THE 2019 RUGBY WORLD CUP

Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Adam Coleman, Jack Dempsey, Folau Faingaa, Michael Hooper (capt), Sekope Kepu, Tolu Latu, Isi Naisarani, David Pocock, Izack Rodda, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Rob Simmons, Scott Sio, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Jordan Uelese.

Backs: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Kurtley Beale, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Lealiifano, James O'Connor, Jordan Petaia, Matt Toomua, Nic White.