The NRL will launch its "Rise for Alex" round on Friday night to raise money for McKinnon, who broke his neck in an awkward tackle in March; fans, players, teams and the NRL will be donating to the fund through ticket sales and pledges.

It is a cause that breaks down cross-code barriers, and former schoolmate White will take a moment to reflect on McKinnon's situation before the Brumbies play the Waikato Chiefs in a grand-final rematch at Canberra Stadium on Saturday night.

The biggest lesson White has learnt is not taking his career, Wallabies appearances or Super Rugby finals for granted. Just last month White sat with McKinnon in hospital in Sydney and is sticking by his mate for the long haul as McKinnon aims to walk again.

"It did put everything in perspective ... catching up with him it brings back that feeling that it could happen to anyone," White said. "You fall into the trap of taking it for granted, but you have to tell yourself not to.

"This weekend is a finals game, you never know when you'll get another chance. I don't take everyday training for granted or these moments ... but little moments like going up and seeing 'Macca' remind you not to take it for granted.

"That's why people have told Macca he have can have an impact on all sports, it's a big reminder that it can happen to anyone."

White and McKinnon grew up together in the Hunter Valley, played league and union together and launched their respective careers from St Gregory's College in Campbelltown.

That is why it was so hard for White to play at AAMI Park in Melbourne just five days after McKinnon broke his neck at the same venue.

The tenacious No.9 has been one of the main driver's of the Brumbies success this season and is confident the team has learnt from its mistakes in a five-point grand-final loss to the Chiefs last year.

White revealed he still has not watched the heartbreaking defeat. But he has banked the memory of failing to kick the ball out from a penalty, which ultimately shifted the momentum of the match and the Chiefs charged from behind to win back-to-back titles.

White also bravely went into the grand final carrying a niggling groin injury, which he aggravated in the warm-up before the biggest match of his life.

"Some players make mistakes and go into their shells, I think you've got to be able to make mistakes and push it to the back of your mind," White said.

"I didn't dwell on it, as heartbreaking as it was. Those are the moments that define the game. But I'm going to make mistakes, I've got to have the intent to scrap it, and have the confidence to take the next opportunity. I've played a bucketload of games since then, so I've learnt that you have to move on to the next job."

White is in career-best form and coach Stephen Larkham said playing for the Wallabies had played a role in that – not just the three-Test series against France when he became Australia's first-choice No.9, but last year's European spring tour as well when he was used as a substitute.

"He certainly got a lot of confidence out of ... being part of the Wallabies end-of-season tour, obviously frustrated that he didn't get an opportunity on the field, but he certainly came back with a real hungry attitude to improve his game," Larkham said. "After that June window he came back with a bit of energy about his game and about his persona."