Australia v Argentina, Rugby Championship
Nic White wearing Will Genia's boots
September 12, 2013
The Brumbies' Nic White shapes to pass the ball, Brumbies v Cheetahs, Super Rugby, Super Rugby qualifier, Canberra Stadium, July 21, 2013
Nic White impressed throughout the Super Rugby season © Getty Images
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Nic White couldn't be more comfortable stepping into the boots of Will Genia after Ewen McKenzie dropped the biggest selection bombshell of his short and winless tenure as Wallabies coach in relegating the man considered the best scrum-half in world rugby to the bench for The Rugby Championship Test against Argentina in Perth.

White, 23, revealed that Genia had been giving him more than wise words in the countdown to his first Test starting role.

"He's not only offered advice, he's also given me two pairs of boots," White said. "He gets given a lot of pairs and had a couple left over. Most of the guys up here have size 13, 14 boots. So it's pretty rare to have two blokes with size 10."

Genia was bitterly disappointed by his relegation, but his personal disappointment hasn't affected his relationship with White.

"We've got a pretty good friendship," White said, explaining that was told of his promotion before training on Monday. The very first session on Monday I went and spoke to him about what he learned from the previous game, and what things I could work on. It was very open."

White made his Test debut only in August, but he has impressed McKenzie during his three appearances off the bench. He was on the verge of making his Test debut in 2012, only for a shoulder reconstruction to rule him out of action.


Follow live text commentary of the Test between Australia and Argentina on Saturday, September 14, from 730pm (AEST), 930am (GMT)

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