'Ultimate competitor' Nic White announces Wallabies retirement after third Lions Test in Sydney

Michael Hooper believes rain, rather than romance, is the reason that Nic White is bowing out from Test rugby against the British and Irish Lions on Saturday night.

White on Thursday announced his international retirement after the third and final Test in Sydney.

And Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt then confirmed the 35-year-old as his surprise starting halfback after being unused behind Jake Gordon and Tate McDermott in the losses in Brisbane and Melbourne.

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"It's going to be a mud pit out there," Wallabies legend Hooper told Stan Sport's Inside Lion.

"Looking like there's going to be 40mm for the next coming days, so it's going to be wet out there. Whitey's got a great kick, Whitey's played a lot in wet rugby (for Exeter Chiefs in England), and he's very experienced in and around that. So maybe that's a reason why you start him. Maybe they want to see Tate more on the bench.

"Maybe Jake Gordon - we're not going to start him because he's had hammy issues and he missed the Fiji game through a hammy (injury). We're going to save him for South Africa (on August 17 AEST)...

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"They're not just giving him a start for that reason (sentimentality), because that hurts the whole team. If he's not up to scratch and he's not up to spec for what is going to be a big Test match... then I think they're missing a trick."

White has been a fan favourite throughout a decorated career.

"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," he said.

NEW PODCAST! Michael Hooper, Michael Atkinson, Nick Phipps and Iain Payten pull apart the Lions series and look ahead to the next major event on the rugby horizon.

"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."

Schmidt paid a glowing tribute to White, who made his Wallabies debut in 2013.

"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," he said.

"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."

White will also hang up the boots at the Western Force following the Super Rugby Australia competition which kicks off in September.

"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," he said.

Australia will be without injured forwards Rob Valetini (calf) and Allan Alaalatoa (shoulder) at Accor Stadium as the Lions chase a rare clean sweep.

The Lions have made two changes to their starting lineup.

Scotland's Blair Kinghorn replaces Ireland's James Lowe on the left wing while Ireland lock James Ryan comes in for England's Ollie Chessum.

Andy Farrell's men are aiming to be the first Lions squad to record an unbeaten tour since 1974, which finished with a 13-13 draw in the third Test against the Springboks, and the first to sweep a three Test series since Argentina in 1927.

"We have put ourselves in position to finish this tour with our best performance to date and create our own piece of history," Farrell said.

"Last weekend's Test match was an incredible spectacle. We are expecting another epic battle this weekend."

The Lions lost to Argentina in Dublin before flying to Perth.

They are 8-0 since arriving in Australia.

"We've always been pretty clear on our goals - to go unbeaten overseas and win the series 3-0. So we just need to stick to what we said," Lions hooker Dan Sheehan said.

WALLABIES (15-1): Tom Wright, Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Dylan Pietsch, Tom Lynagh, Nic White, Harry Wilson (c), Fraser McReight, Tom Hooper, Will Skelton, Nick Frost, Taniela Tupou, David Porecki, James Slipper

Reserves: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Zane Nonggorr, Jeremy Williams, Langi Gleeson, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Andrew Kellaway

LIONS (15-1): Hugo Keenan, Tommy Freeman, Huw Jones, Bundee Aki, Blair Kinghorn, Finn Russell, Jamison Gibson-Park, Jack Conan, Tom Curry, Tadhg Beirne, James Ryan, Maro Itoje, Tadhg Furlong, Dan Sheehan, Andrew Porter

Reserves: Ronan Kelleher, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, Ollie Chessum, Jac Morgan, Ben Earl, Alex Mitchell, Owen Farrell