Wallaby White to retire from test rugby after Lions series finale

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FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Autumn International - Wales v Australia - Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, Britain - November 20, 2021 Australias Nic White in action Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers/File Photo

REUTERS

SYDNEY - Wallabies scrumhalf Nic White will retire from international rugby after the third test against the British amp; Irish Lions this weekend, Rugby Australia said on Thursday.

The 35-year-old halfback is expected to win his 73rd cap in place of Jake Gordon at Sydneys Stadium Australia on Saturday in a match Australia need to win to avoid a 3-0 series sweep.

White, familiar to fans the world over for his distinctive moustache, missed the 2013 series against the Lions through injury but played in two World Cups for his country.

Pulling on the gold jersey was a dream of mine when I was a young boy ... and to say Ive done it 72 times, with one last crack on Saturday night, is something Im incredibly proud of, White said in a Rugby Australia news release.

Theres 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 ...

White would probably have won more test caps had he not spent five years in Europe with Montpellier and Exeter Chiefs before returning to Canberra with the ACT Brumbies in 2020.

First and foremost Nic is a great man to have in a squad. Hes team