HE'S THE pint-sized halfback who has been urged to bulk up his entire career, but after walking up Mount Ainslie four times 20 kilograms heavier than normal, Nic White is convinced speed and agility beats size.
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Brumbies No.9 White is on track to return to playing this week when the ACT begins its first finals campaign in nine years.
Just six weeks ago White feared his season was ruined when he broke a scapula while playing against the Melbourne Rebels last month.
But after four trips up Mount Ainslie with an extra 20 kilograms added to his 82-kilogram frame and White is ready for play-off action. As part of his rehabilitation, White was ordered to walk up the mountain in a 20-kilogram vest and with his hands on his hips.
''I wasn't allowed to move too much … I couldn't run and they didn't trust me on a bike,'' White said.
''I was ready to pack next to [prop Dan Palmer] … I didn't enjoy it at all. I like being nice and light and able to move quickly.
''It was harder than I thought, I got halfway up and thought I was at the top. Then the end took it out of me. At least I can say I climbed the mountain with a weight of three figures.
''From a young age coaches have been obsessed with me getting bigger, but [coach] Jake White was all for me staying as I am and being as strong as I could.''
The Brumbies will arrive back in Canberra on Sunday night after playing the Western Force in Perth in the last game of the regular season.
White missed the match and was given an extra week to recover to ensure he would be fit for the finals.
The 22-year-old has a history of shoulder injuries.
Last year he missed out on the Wallabies' spring tour because he needed a shoulder operation.
When he went down in the first 10 minutes against the Rebels - his first game as Brumbies captain - his hopes of making his Test debut against the British and Irish Lions vanished.
White said his priority was finals success with the Brumbies, not trying to earn his first Wallabies cap.
''There will be no problems [with the shoulder] this week, it was just a case of the risk [of playing against the Force] wasn't worth the reward,'' he said.
''I would have liked to get some kilometres in my legs before the finals, but I'll be good to go. I said to the doctor as soon as I did the shoulder that I want to play finals.
''I can't wait to get out there. Finals footy is what you play for. This year I feel we're ready, we've learnt from last year, matured.''
