WALLABIES’ halfback Nic White said he hopes he doesn’t have to come back to Orange next month - but has a good reason.
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Speaking at the Wallabies open training session at Kinross Wolaroi on Tuesday, White said he has his fingers crossed he won’t be taking to Wade Park for the NSW Country Eagles’ National Rugby Championship (NRC) clash with the Melbourne Rising, on September 20.
“I’d like to still be with the Wallabies,” White laughed.
“I have no idea where I’ll be, but I have to have ambitions to stay up here. Hopefully I’m still in the squad, and hopefully in the 23. In that regard I hope I don’t get too much game time with the Eagles.
“In saying that I can’t wait to rub shoulders with the guys in the Eagles’ squad.”
WATCH OUR VIDEO OF THE WALLABIES TRAINING AT KINROSS WOLAROI:
With the Rugby Championship being played until October, White and fellow NSW Country Wallabies - Adam Ashley-Cooper, Sekope Kepu and Matt Toomua - are unlikely to play at Wade Park. The Rising’s Scott Higginbotham is in the same boat.
White was on hand at Kinross for the second leg of the Bush2Bledisloe campaign and the diminutive 24-year-old hailed the initiative, and the NRC, as “nothing but positive”
“I was thinking back when I was living in Scone, I went to Newcastle and saw (former Wallabies) Phil Waugh and Nathan Grey and I remember how much of impact that had on me,” White said.
“It kept me in the game and hopefully it has the same effect on a few kids here, or in Dubbo where we were yesterday (Monday).
“This tour, and the NRC will have a huge influence on regional rugby. There will be plenty of kids, and guys who are getting to the age where they might throw in the towel who might stick around, that will be impacted. It can only help grow the sport, I really can’t see any negatives at all.”
Orange Emus’ under 9s are scheduled to play in a curtain raiser to the Bledisloe Cup, on August 16, and White said the kids should relish what could potentially be the opportunity of a lifetime.
“It’s unreal for them to get down and play in that sort of stadium, it’s a massive buzz,” he said
“I’m sure it will be huge for those young kids, I remember being a part of those things and loving it.”