Wallabies scrumhalf Nic White says he will be returning to Canberra as a better and more mature player after signing a two-year deal to join the ACT Brumbies.
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The Brumbies and Rugby Australia trumpeted White's impending Super Rugby return on the eve of the Wallabies' World Cup match against Georgia.
The 29-year-old signed a multi-year deal with the Wallabies to make him available for World Cup selection, but he delayed officially signing with an Australian franchise until this week.
His return to the Brumbies will be for the 2021 and 2022 seasons and will give him a chance to restart his career in the capital after leaving the club four years ago.
White left the Brumbies at the end of the 2015 season, having stints at Montepellier in France and Exeter in England.
He says the time abroad has helped him improve and he's ready to show fans when he lands at the Brumbies.
"When we first started talks about coming back, I thought there was no chance I'd be at the World Cup. I was more looking to [2023]," White said.
"When they dangled the carrot in front of me and it became a possibility, it became really exciting.
"I feel like I appreciate it a bit more now.
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"...Right now I'm completely focused on the World Cup and the Wallabies, and I look forward to getting back to [Exeter] to rip in with them, but knowing I'll also return to a place and club [in Canberra] I love is really special."
The Brumbies have filled almost all of their roster spots for next season, adding White to join Will Miller, schoolboy star Reesjan Pasitoa, prop Shambeckler Vui and lock Caydern Neville among others.
They have also been linked to former New Zealand Warrior Solomone Kate, who is expected to sign a Brumbies deal in the coming weeks.
White's return will give the Brumbies an interesting headache for 2021 and beyond. Joe Powell and Ryan Lonergan will be the main No. 9 options for the 2020 campaign, with Issak Fines and schoolboy Lachlan Albert adding depth.
Coach Dan McKellar will have at least 12 months to juggle the rotation to blend White back into he squad.
White started his Super Rugby career in Canberra in 2011, playing 67 games for the Brumbies before moving overseas.
"It's awesome to know that I'll be returning to Canberra," White said.
"The Brumbies is home for me and Canberra is home for my family, so to know my future is set and that I'll be back at the Brumbies is so exciting."
White has been picked in the Wallabies' starting side for the clash against Georgia, renewing a combination with former Brumbies teammate Matt Toomua in the halves.
The pair spent five years together at the Brumbies before they both moved overseas. White said missing out on World Cup selection four years ago planted a seed about one day reviving his Australian career.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika left White out of the 2015 squad, opting for Will Genia and Nick Phipps as the only two scrumhalves.
Back then White was perceived as a tactical kicking scrumhalf. It's a perception White wants to change.
"It was tough to miss out back then, gut wrenching. That had a lot to do with the fire in the belly and the dream was to always go overseas for a few years and come back," White said.
"I think I am [a better player]. I certainly feel more confident to show it in the way I play now and Exeter has been really, really good for me in terms of playing the game differently.
"I'm really grateful Exeter gave me a chance. I felt my career had plateaued, if not heading downward. Exeter picked me up for the right direction and I feel like I'm a far better player than I was four years ago."