Nic White's retirement from international rugby has lasted only a matter of days. The Australia scrum-half, who declared the third and final British and Irish Lions Test in Sydney would be his last match, has been recalled to the Wallabies squad for the upcoming Rugby Championship.
White, 35, was included in Joe Schmidt's 35-man squad for the opening games in South Africa following an injury to regular number nine Jake Gordon. Rugby Australia confirmed that White is 'putting his hand up to help the group again due to Gordon's injury, just a week after announcing his plans to retire.'
White produced an impressive performance in the Wallabies' 22-12 victory over the Lions in Sydney, avoiding a series clean sweep. He will be joined by uncapped scrum-half Ryan Lonergan in the squad for the first Test against world champions South Africa in Johannesburg on 16 August, with a second Test in Cape Town on 23 August.
Fly-half Tom Lynagh misses the tour after failing a head injury assessment following a high tackle from Lions hooker Dan Sheehan. Tane Edmed, who has one previous cap, replaces Lynagh and joins Ben Donaldson and James O'Connor among the fly-half options. Edmed described his call-up as a 'rollercoaster' and said he always felt he was a chance despite a difficult Super Rugby season.
Prop Allan Alaalatoa is injured, with uncapped Aidan Ross called up. Schmidt has also recalled uncapped winger Corey Toole and added Queensland trio centre Josh Flook, hooker Josh Nasser and lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto. Prop Taniela Tupou and hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa, a late inclusion for the third Lions Test, have been retained.
