Nic White is again set to relegate Wallabies halfback Will Genia to the bench for their rugby Test against South Africa, with his strong kicking game tipped to earn him another start.
White is likely to be rewarded with the No.9 jersey for the Rugby Championship Test at Newlands on Saturday after impressing Australian coach Ewen McKenzie with his stand-out performance in the last-start, one-point win over Argentina.
White’s inclusion against the Pumas was initially thought to be based around giving Genia a break, but McKenzie was impressed with his work in the wet and windy conditions in Perth.
The Wallabies need to counter the Springboks’ pressure game, particularly with rain predicted for Cape Town on the weekend.
The Australians are looking to turn the tables after their disappointing 38-12 loss earlier this month in Brisbane and earn their first win in Cape Town since 1992.
Brumbies teammate and Wallabies No.8 Ben Mowen said White could help beat the Springboks, who have super-boot Morne Steyn, at their own game.
“Any time you play against a South African side you have to be able to take them on in the kicking battle because that’s a huge part of the way they play,” Mowen said.
“Particularly when Morne is at 10 both with the Bulls and South Africa, that’s been a huge part of their game so you’ve got to understand that it’s coming and be able to take it on and challenge them in the same area.”
Mowen believed the combination between White and five-eighth Quade Cooper would only get better in its second outing.
“That was the first opportunity to play together against Argentina and previous to that they’d had two or three training sessions,” Mowen said.
“You get a lot of confidence out of getting a win like that with your combination.”
Mowen said Genia, widely rated the world’s best halfback in recent years, had been working hard and the battle between the two was a good problem for the Wallabies.
“He’s been really good,” said Mowen.
“He’s a world-class player and when you’ve got guys like that who have time to go away and work on their game all they can do is improve.
“It’s a great contest to have with those guys fighting for that jersey and that’s what you want.”
