How Nic White is evolving with the Wallabies

But the Wallabies scrumhalf doesn't watch two or three replays of his own games in the aftermath of full-time to get a kick out of his finest moments.

He does it to find the moments most rugby players cringe at when they sense it coming in the team review. He does it so he can evolve as a footballer.

He does it because he feels "there is no ceiling" on what this Wallabies team can achieve. He does it because there is a World Cup on the horizon in 2023, and White wants to be there.

So you can find him in the aftermath of Saturday's Test against Japan in Oita back at the team hotel, where the Wallabies have three floors to themselves inside a rugby bubble, watching the match over and over.

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Then he'll turn up to training with pages of notes about how he and the team can get better. It borders on an obsession started during Stephen Larkham's time at the helm of the ACT Brumbies, but it is an obsession driven by a dream.

"I'll watch the game a couple of times, do my own review, cut a heap of clips ... areas we were good and areas we as a team can evolve," White said.

"There's certainly an expectation at this level that everybody does that every week. Some guys do it within the team time and at the club. I prefer to have it all done, come in and have it all there ready to go and get a jumpstart on it.

"I enjoy that side of it, I'm a lover of rugby, so I enjoy watching the game two or three times and seeing what I can find, constantly evolving and learning.

"If I have that there, I can go to guys like Dan [McKellar] who see the game so well and I can say 'this is what I've seen, what have you seen?' They see it a different way and I can learn from that.

"Dan, Wisey [Scott Wisemantel], Renns [Dave Rennie], all these guys I can bounce off. I'm still learning an absolute shitload every week.

"It's something I can continue to do always, I think it's important and it's an expectation up here that everyone does it. Some do it better than others, and it's certainly an easy way to quickly learn and grow."

The Wallabies enter Saturday's clash riding a four-game winning streak. A fifth on the trot would mark the first time they've achieved the feat since the 2015 World Cup.

Now, as the Wallabies return to the site of their 2019 World Cup quarter-final exit, there is a sense Rennie's group is building a team which can genuinely give the next instalment a shake.

At 31, White has the likes of Tate McDermott, Jake Gordon and soon Ryan Lonergan nipping at his heels, but his sights are locked on being there in 2023.

"Mate, for sure. I'd love to be there. I would certainly love to give it a real shake, and where we're going is exciting," White said.

'There's no ceiling on where we can continue to grow to, I'd love to be a part of that. Again, I need to make sure I'm not looking at the outcome or the result too often.

"It's good to have that as a goal but where I'm going to get there is by making sure I evolve. I think I am still getting better, my footy is still getting better, so I've just got to make sure that's the case over the next year or two. Continue to get better and hopefully I'll be in a good spot to jump on board and be a part of that."

WALLABIES' SPRING TOUR

Saturday: Japan v Wallabies at Oita Stadium, 3.45pm.

Wallabies squad: 1. James Slipper, 2. Folau Fainga'a, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Izack Rodda, 5. Matt Philip, 6. Rob Leota, 7. Michael Hooper (c), 8. Rob Valetini, 9. Nic White, 10. Quade Cooper, 11. Andrew Kellaway, 12. Hunter Paisami, 13. Len Ikitau, 14. Tom Wright, 15. Reece Hodge. Replacements: 16. Connal McInerney, 17. Angus Bell, 18. Allan Alaalatoa, 19. Darcy Swain, 20. Pete Samu, 21. Tate McDermott, 22. James O'Connor, 23. Jordan Petaia.

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