Western Force and Wallabies scrum-half Nic White has announced he’ll retire from international rugby after Saturday’s final Test of the Qatar Airways British & Irish Lions Series and finish up at the Force later this year.
White, 35, will hang up the boots at the Force following the Super Rugby AUS competition which kicks off in September, bringing to a close a remarkable rugby career.
The tough half-back will end his decorated Wallabies career with 73 international caps to his name, including being part of the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cups, having debuted against the All Blacks in 2013.
White was a critical part of Australia’s 2015 Rugby Championship triumph, producing a memorable performance against the All Blacks where he kicked a penalty and scored the winning try to secure the title for the men in gold. A leader within the Wallabies, White started 22 of the 30 Tests between 2020 and 2022.
White joined the Force ahead of the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season, making 23 appearances including 21 starts across two campaigns where he made an instant impact with his experience and leadership on show.
The veteran quickly rose into the leadership group as a vice-captain to assist young skipper Jeremy Williams.
At the Force, he finally got a chance to fulfill his goal of playing against the Lions – having missed the 2013 series due to an untimely shoulder injury on the eve of the series – when the Force kicked off the 2025 Series at Optus Stadium in June with the scrum-half scoring his side’s try.
Prior to that he had a long association with the ACT Brumbies in Super Rugby, earning 112 caps across two stints (2011-2015 and 2020-2023) and winning the 2020 Super Rugby AU title. He won titles in England and France during stints with Exeter Chiefs (2017-2020) and Montpellier (2015-2017) respectively.
On finishing up at the Force, White said: “First and foremost a massive thanks to Simon (Cron) for bringing me across to Perth and also to Niamh (O’Connor), the Force and the Sea of Blue for all their support. I’ve loved playing at HBF Park in front of those fans for this Club.
“I was keen to continue on next year to represent the Sea of Blue but when the time comes, the time comes. When I re-signed a few months back, I was feeling pretty good in the body and mind, but now it’s giving me all the signs to stop. Now it feels like the right time.
“I also feel confident the Force are in a really good place with a healthy squad to kick on. I’ve loved my time here and wouldn’t change a thing. West is certainly best.”
Force head coach Simon Cron said: “On behalf of everyone at the Western Force, I want him to congratulate Whitey on an unbelievable career. As a player and leader he will leave Australian Rugby in a better place for his immense contributions.
“At the Force, Whitey has been a big driver in our team with his leadership, high standards and on-field performances. He’s an amazing human and awesome player. It’s been brilliant working with him over the last two years.
“Naturally it is a hard decision for him and his family but it’s the right time for them to move on to an exciting new chapter.
“We know they’re really happy living in WA and we will look at ways to keep him involved in rugby here in the west.”
On hanging up the boots on his Wallabies’ career, White added: “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. He’s team first all the time and has been at the top of the game for over a decade.
“Having coached against Whitey a number of times, and worked with him in the Wallabies environment for the past two years, he’s the ultimate competitor and someone who drives standards among the squad.
“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.”
Nic White
DOB: 13/6/1990
Place of birth: Scone, NSW
Position: Scrum-half
Junior club: Maitland Blacks
International career history
Australia (2013- , 72 caps*, 9 tries)
Club career history
Western Force (2024-2025, 23 caps, 2 tries)
ACT Brumbies (2011-2015 & 2020-2023, 112 caps, 10 tries)
Exeter Chiefs (2017-2020, 61 caps, 14 tries)
Montpellier (2015-2017, 57 caps, 4 tries)