There's nothing quite like a "Possibles v Probables" clash to send sparks flying in pre-season - just ask Force halfback Nic White.
The 71-cap Wallaby found himself at the coalface of last week's internal Force trial, lining up for the Probables and scoring the opening try in sweltering conditions at Scotch College.
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Though the Probables ran out comfortable 42-0 victors, White was quick to stress the intensity and pressure exerted by a largely development "Possibles" side, telling reporters there was no love lost less than a fortnight out from their Super Rugby Pacific opener.
"Those internal trials are always tricky, aren’t they? You want to rip in and give it your all but at the end of the day you’re ripping into your best mates," White said.
"It was good to see a lot of our systems and processes under the heat of battle and it was a really good game, a lot of boys put their hands up.
"One thing we’ve spoken about this year is the depth of our squad, it's a headache for Cronno and a good headache to have. Good luck to him picking a team going into the next trial and Round 1."
Now entering his second season with the Force, White is adamant their improved squad depth and competition for starting roles can drive his side to a maiden finals berth.
It would be an incredible achievement for the Force to break their Super Rugby finals duck in their 20th anniversary year yet the veteran halfback remains bullish about their chances.
"Me personally, I feel like we’re in a great space. I feel it’s a squad good enough to push into finals. That’s the first goal with any season, the push is to make finals footy," White told reporters.
"It does feel more settled, we're in better health this year. The squad's deep, competition for spots is fierce at the moment and that’s what you want.
"The guys had Spring Series pre-Christmas and there’s a lot of pressure on the Wallaby boys to catch up.
"There’s a really good feeling about what we can do and it’s about doing it under lights now."
White's Force will have one more chance to dust off the boots this Friday in a trial clash with the Brumbies before next week's Round 1 clash with Moana Pasifika in Perth.
"It gives us the chance to go another step, going to Canberra. What a game that is," White enthused.
"The Brumbies have been the top Australian province for a while now and I think it’s a great game for us going into Round 1. They’ll certainly test us in those areas and come Round 1 we should be fit and firing to go."
