Halfback Nic White believes he’s evolved as a rugby player and is desperate to make the most of his second coming as a Wallaby.
White last wore an Australian jersey in 2015 and walked away from the Wallabies and Brumbies then believing he may never do so again.
“It’s been a bit surreal,” White said from the Wallabies camp in Johannesburg ahead of their opening Rugby Championship match against South Africa.
“It’s something which at a point I thought was never going to happen again.”
White’s time spent playing for Montpellier in France and then UK club Exeter have added layers to his game and gave him the confidence to try to break into the World Cup squad.
“I probably played a different style to what I did in Canberra, in terms of holding onto the ball, running a lot more,” he said
“A lot of the play would be more around nine.
“The coach had the confidence to play that style so that was exciting going there and a style of play I enjoy.”
Now 29, White said he felt unfulfilled by his 22 Test appearances.
“I didn’t really feel I gave the best of myself in that Wallaby jersey and I didn’t feel as confident when I left,” he said.
“Obviously missing out on the last World Cup had a lot to do with it as well.
“It probably comes with age and experience but I feel a little bit more comfortable within myself and within my own ability to show the best of myself.”
While veteran Will Genia has a firm hold on the starting jersey, competition is fierce to be his back-up, with White and current Brumbies halfback Joe Powell getting first crack.
The Waratahs’ Nick Phipps, who has 70 caps, and Jake Gordon, who played a Test last year didn’t make the cut for the South Africa leg.
But White said that pair would be training just as hard to be ready when a chance arose.
“It’s only good for the jersey when you’ve got a number of guys fighting for that spot,” he said.
“Of course they’ll be training hard and playing hard if given the opportunity.”
The Wallabies squad for the Ellis Park match will be named late Thursday Australian time.
