He's the feisty scrumhalf in a dangerous attacking back line but before he broke into the ACT Brumbies squad, Nic White had to take orders from Canberra Raiders general Sam Williams.
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The two St Gregory's College graduates will be instrumental as the Brumbies and Raiders prepare for one of the biggest weekends of their seasons. But before they burst into Super Rugby and the NRL, the former classmates spent their time playing league and union at school.
Williams was the star league junior while White defied St Gregory's tradition to pursue his rugby passion.
They'd play league on Thursday with Williams running the team before switching to union the following day with White in charge.
''Sam Williams was the boss all the way, it was a league school,'' White said. ''He was always the last one out of bed, but he ran that school in Year 11 and 12, he had everyone under his little pinky and he ran the league team.
''We spoke a couple of years ago when we were both coming through and joked we would be the halfbacks in this town one day. Funnily enough a few years down the track, here we are. We joked about it, but never thought it would happen and sometimes you've got to pinch yourself.''
White is having a superb rookie season in the Brumbies No.9 jersey.
He has held on to his starting spot and will be in contention for Wallabies selection later this month.
Williams has been thrust into the Raiders halfback role after another knee injury ended inspirational skipper Terry Campese's season.
When they were rising through the ranks, Williams was the halfback for the St Gregory's league team with White as the hooker.
When they ran on to the rugby field, White was the scrumhalf and Williams was an outside centre.
While White is flying high with the Brumbies, Williams has the tough task of guiding the Raiders around the field against defending premier Manly at Brookvale Oval tomorrow.
Together they caused mischief in class and Williams admitted their academic work ethic didn't match their passion for sport.
Now he can't help but laugh every time he sees fiery White challenging the Super Rugby referees.
''He was a bit of a pest sometimes if you were with him 24-7,'' Williams said. ''He was a pretty handy rugby league player too. It's a bit surreal that both of us can be playing halfback in the premier competition.
''Whitey always barks at the ref and that's just him, he's very competitive and never wants to let anyone beat him and it was the same playing touch on the oval.''
