Wallabies’ scrumhalf Nic White has confirmed he will draw the curtain on his Test career after Sarturday’s final Test of the Qatar Airways British & Irish Lions Series.
Wallaby number 875, the 35-year-old will also hang up the boots from all professional rugby at the end of 2025.
Born in Scone, White’s rugby journey began as a Maitland Blacks junior as a 12-year-old and was accelerated when he joined St Gregory’s College in Campbelltown for high school.
Injury ruled him out of the frame for the 2008 Australia Schoolboys; however, he did earn selection in the 2009 and 2010 squads for the Junior World Championship.
He moved to the Brumbies Academy in 2009, and made his Super Rugby debut in 2011, with injuries punctuating the start of his professional career.
White helped the Brumbies to the 2013 Super Rugby final before a shoulder injury again cruelled his momentum, resulting in him missing the 2013 British & Irish Lions Series.
He did however make his Wallabies debut later that year against New Zealand in Sydney, going on to string consistent games together in gold over the next two Test seasons, including a memorable performance against the All Blacks where White kicked a penalty and scored the winning try to secure the 2015 Rugby Championship for the men in gold.
Later that year, White moved to Europe, where he spent the next five years of his career, before returning to Australia and the Brumbies in time to score a memorable try in the Wallabies record win over New Zealand in 2019 before being selected for his first Rugby World Cup in Japan.
He was a key member of the ACT Brumbies Super Rugby AU title winning campaign in 2020 and made his 50th appearance for the Wallabies in 2022 against England in Sydney.
A leader within the Wallabies, White started 22 of the 30 Tests between 2020 and 2022 and was once again named in the Wallabies squad for 2023 Rugby World Cup.
White moved to the Western Force ahead of the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season, making an immediate impact with his experience and leadership, and finally got a chance to fulfill his goal of playing against the Lions when the Force kicked off the 2025 Series at Optus Stadium in June.
Eight days later he played for the Wallabies for the 72nd time in the team’s win over Fiji in front of his home crowd in the Hunter and has been part of the squad for the Lions Series which comes to its finale in Sydney on Saturday night.
White will continue to train with the Western Force ahead of the Super Rugby AUS competition which kicks off in September.
Wallaby number 875, Nic White said: “Pulling on the gold jersey was a dream of mine when I was a young boy in Scone and to say I’ve done it 72 times, with one last crack on Saturday night, is something I’m incredibly proud of and a privilege I’ve never taken for granted.
“Rugby has given me so much to be grateful for. I’ve made some incredible memories, some lifelong friendships and had the opportunity to see the world.
“There’s been great competition for the nine jersey here in the Wallabies for a number of years and it feels like the right time to pass on the baton with some more good young players coming through who will need time in the saddle leading into what’s going to be an unbelievable experience of a home Rugby World Cup in 2027.
“In the meantime, I’ll keep working hard with the Western Force, who have been an incredible support for me and my family since we moved west nearly two years ago.
“Hanging up the boots for good at the end of the year will also allow me to spend more time with my wife Mel and three boys Leo, Sonny and Vinnie – which is something I’m massively looking forward to.
“There’s plenty of others who I owe a drink to for their support during my career, and I look forward to repaying that tab at the Maitland Blacks clubhouse, Assembly in Canberra or the Brisbane Hotel after a Force game in Perth.”
Wallabies Head Coach Joe Schmidt said: “First and foremost Nic is a great man to have in a squad. He’s team first all the time and has been at the top of the game for over a decade.
“Having coached against Whitey, and now worked with him in the Wallabies environment, he’s the ultimate competitor.
“I know how much pulling on the gold jersey means to him and on behalf of the current group we wish him and his family all the best for the next chapter.”