Nic White starts at scrum-half for Wallabies in final Test appearance against Lions

Veteran scrum-half Nic White will make his final international appearance for Australia on Saturday when the Wallabies take on the British and Irish Lions in the third Test at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.

Head coach Joe Schmidt has named White as starting No. 9, giving the 34-year-old a fitting farewell in what will be his 73rd Test cap.

White announced on Thursday that he would retire from international rugby following the match, marking the end of a distinguished career in the gold jersey that began in 2013.

“Pulling on the gold jersey was a dream of mine when I was a young boy in Scone,” said White. “To say I’ve done it 72 times, with one last crack on Saturday night, is something I’m incredibly proud of.”

The Wallabies head into the final match of the series trailing 0-2, hoping to avoid a clean sweep at the hands of the Lions, who secured the series with wins in Brisbane (27-19) and Melbourne (29-26).

Schmidt praised White’s leadership and competitive spirit. “First and foremost, Nic is a great man to have in a squad,” he said.

“He’s team-first all the time and has been at the top of the game for over a decade.”

Tom Lynagh retains his place at fly-half, with Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii continuing in midfield. Dylan Pietsch replaces the injured Harry Potter on the wing.

In the forwards, Taniela Tupou starts at tighthead prop in place of Allan Alaalatoa, who is sidelined with a shoulder injury. Rob Valetini has been ruled out to manage a calf issue, opening the door for Tom Hooper to join Fraser McReight and captain Harry Wilson in the back row.

Zane Noongar is named on the bench, while Andrew Kellaway returns to the squad in a five-three bench split. Carlo Tizzano and Tom Robertson have been omitted from the match-day 23.

Australia XV: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Dylan Pietsch, 10 Tom Lynagh, 9 Nic White, 8 Harry Wilson (c), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 David Porecki, 1 James Slipper

Reserves: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Langi Gleeson, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Andrew Kellaway