Wallabies name 34-man squad for Bledisloe Tests as White retires

The Wallabies named a 34‑man squad on Thursday for the two Bledisloe Cup Tests against New Zealand, confirming several returns, a high‑profile recall and the retirement of veteran scrumhalf Nic White as the teams head to Eden Park on September 27 and Optus Stadium in Perth a week later. The announcement came as New Zealand were boosted by the return of first‑choice halfback Cam Roigard to provincial action, tightening what promises to be a high‑stakes trans‑Tasman showdown in a closely contested Rugby Championship.

Joe Schmidt retained most of the group that faced Argentina, with Jake Gordon back from a hamstring problem as the only fresh inclusion. Gordon’s fitness allowed Nic White to step away from Test rugby for a second and apparently final time; White confirmed his retirement on social media following four starts in the Rugby Championship after briefly unretiring. The 35‑year‑old finished with 77 Tests and has said he faces several surgeries as he transitions away from international play.

The squad contains experienced options at flyhalf, with James O’Connor included despite having just flown to England to join Leicester Tigers. O’Connor has publicly said he is prepared to...