'Johnny Farnham' set for shortest retirement ever as injury opens door for chirpy halfback to play on
Updated . First published
Nic White has left the door firmly ajar for more Wallabies appearances despite announcing his retirement before Saturday's third and final British and Irish Lions Test.
White, who announced his Test retirement on Thursday, was one of the side's best in the 22-12 Sydney win over the Lions, before Tate McDermott came on and replaced him, scoring in the final 10 minutes.
The Wallabies now face Rugby Championship fixtures against South Africa, New Zealand and Argentina.
Watch the 2025 Rugby Championship with every match streaming live and on demand on the home of rugby, Stan Sport
Harry Wilson of the Wallabies embraces teammate Nic White after the team's victory. Getty
They also play Japan, England, Italy, Ireland and France later in the year.
Post-match, ex-roommate and teammate Michael Hooper put to White whether it was truly his last Test.
The 35-year-old was far from definitive.
READ MORE: Four fighting words that transformed tragedy into triumph
READ MORE: Wallabies win 'hearts and minds' with fighting upset victory
READ MORE: Wallabies tame Lions in 'one of the craziest nights we've ever seen'
Nic White of the Wallabies is seen with his children. Getty
"I think that'll be a discussion we have next week and I said at the end of the year and and I'll stay ready and if called upon, I won't say no," he said on Stan Sport.
"The plan is still to hang them up at the end of the year, but if something happens between now and the end of that year, I don't know.
"I'm not thinking too far ahead, but there may be a discussion that needs to be had."
Despite that, White was open to the fact it's time to usher in a new era ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Club.
"We're building some confidence and getting real belief in the way we play," he said.
"I think it is time for the next guys to get in there, so it is the right time to step away and there's real belief within this group and what they can do and and we're finding different ways to play and different ways to win.
The Wallabies pose wearing moustaches ahead of Nic White's final Test. Getty
"You saw that tonight. There's some good players coming through too. It's a pretty special team."
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt will name a revised squad on Thursday to prepare for the Rugby Championship opener against the Springboks at Ellis Park on August 17 (AEST).
First choice halfback Jake Gordon is in doubt to travel with a hamstring injury.
Nic White applauds the fans after being substituted off in his final Wallabies game. Getty
"Whitey will rival me, maybe in terms of being kind of like Johnny Farnham," Schmidt quipped, referencing his own failed attempts to retire from coaching.
"There's one more tour and Jake did pick up a little bit of a hamstring right at the end of training on Thursday and so we're just tracking and seeing how that goes.
"We're not going to take risks with people."
ACT Brumbies halfback Ryan Lonergan is an obvious alternative to White if Schmidt does decide to turn to the future.
