Nic White.
Maitland Blacks junior Nic White had his first taste of Wallaby gold during the last month and he is already hungry for more.
The 22-year-old halfback was part of the Australian squad that defeated European Six Nations champions Wales 3-0 and despite not getting onto the paddock the experience has merely whet his appetite for more action in the Test arena.
“Obviously it was pretty disappointing not getting on and being on the sidelines for
three games but, in saying that, we won the series in a whitewash and I was part of
that – my role was minuscule but I did
have a role,” White said.
“I am just a little more hungry now.
“Being so close, two metres from the sideline close, made me realise that this is something I really want.”
White will be hoping for a chance in the inaugural Rugby Championship being held later this year after being eager to take the field come off the bench in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.
And the initial signs have been good for White, receiving the nod from Wallabies coach Robbie Deans ahead of main rival Nick Phipps despite missing out on a home town Test in Newcastle against Scotland on June 5.
White said he had “learned a lot” in a short period following his call up to the national 39-man training squad on May 27 and he will attempt to put that knowledge to practice when he returns to the Super Rugby competition this weekend.
“I have got three weeks now to show Robbie [Deans] that I deserve that number two spot and that I’m someone he can put on with 10 or 20 minutes to go to do a job, not just back up Will [Genia],” White said.
“That is the opportunity for me and I need to make the most of that to get that
Wallaby number.”
White links back up with the ACT Brumbies as they attempt to stay on top of the Australian conference in the Super Rugby standings for 2012.
The Brumbies meet the Western Force in Perth on Saturday, followed by the NSW Waratahs in Sydney on July 7, before wrapping up the regular rounds against the Auckland Blues at home (July 14).
“This is huge for the Brumbies,” White said.
“It has been a few years since the Brumbies have been in the finals and even though we are five points clear we are in a position where our destiny is in our own hands.”
