White ready for action
By Mark Stevens
24/9/17
Nic White says he is bracing himself for a red-hot atmosphere when Exeter Chiefs play host to Wasps in today’s Aviva Premiership encounter at Sandy Park (3pm).
Brought to Devon, via French Top 14 side Montpellier this summer, the talented Australian has settled well to life in his new surroundings, helping last season’s champions to kick-off their title defence in fine fettle.
Back-to-back victories over London Irish and Worcester Warriors had helped to put the Chiefs top of the tree heading into this weekend’s fourth round of action, but it’s this afternoon’s encounter which occupies the main thoughts of the 27-year-old scrum-half.
“We are building into the season, and while we were going pretty hard into round one [at Gloucester], we can always go a bit further. That is what we are searching for each game, so hopefully this week we can take in to another level. We will worry about ourselves and about our processes, and hopefully the result will look after itself.”
With a near capacity crowd expected to watch last season’s top two clubs lock horns in battle, White says he cannot wait to run out out for duty in what should be another mouth-watering encounter.
“Being here has certainly lived up to my expectations so far,” said the Wallabies international. “I enjoyed going to Gloucester in our first game and the fans there in The Shed were amazing. You don’t get that sort of atmosphere back home.
“Then to come back here to Sandy Park against London Irish, the conditions weren’t great and it was pouring with rain, but there was a lot of people here creating an amazing atmosphere.
“I said to the guys ‘that was great’ but they said to me: ‘It will only get better. Wait until a nice day and the ground is packed.’ I couldn’t believe what they were telling me. It is nice to know rugby is alive and well in this country.”
And having started all three top flight fixtures already, White says the perception of English rugby’s top division is much different to that of reality.
“I think the Premiership has evolved over the last three to four years,” he continued. “There was this perception from the south that up here it was all about set-piece and it was all just kicking and kick-chase in a long winter.
“However, watching England, especially last year, and seeing how much they play, the Premiership is really becoming a competition that rivals, if not already is, the best in the world.”
Indeed, the competitiveness of the competition has been underlined during the opening weeks with every one of the 12 Premiership clubs having tasted at least one defeat.
White admits he is relishing the week-to-week battle, adding: “I think everyone is saying how competitive it is and that there are no easy game and teams can catch a win home or away against anyone.
“Every game is a big game and there is no taking a light week against anyone, and that is a credit to the competition, and that is why players are coming from overseas and wanting to be part of this, just because it is a prestigious competition.”
