IRELAND AND CONNACHT prop Nathan White has been forced to retire from rugby following a concussion injury.
Ireland rugby prop Nathan White.
The announcement was made this morning by the IRFU and Connacht Rugby. White’s retirement comes on the back of medical advice after he has been sidelined since last March due to a concussion injury sustained in a game against Leinster.
White, a former Waikato captain in New Zealand, first joined Connacht in the summer of 2012. He had previously spent a season with Leinster during Joe Schmidt’s time in charge.
In total, White made 58 appearances for Connacht over the course of four campaigns. In August 2015, he made his international debut for Ireland against Scotland in the Aviva Stadium in a warm-up game before the Rugby World Cup.
White proceeded to feature in all of Ireland’s five games at the Rugby World Cup and their matches in the Six Nations last spring. He won 13 international caps for Ireland.
Nathan White with Connacht teammates Kieran Marmion, Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane and Robbie Henshaw. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
In a statement released today, White – who informed his Connacht teammates of his retirement this week – expressed his disappointment but revealed he will reflect on his career ‘with a lot of pride’.
“While it’s disappointing to finish up this way and not on my own terms, I feel that I can look back at my rugby career with a lot of pride.
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“I am retiring at 35 years of age and with so many great memories from my time playing in both New Zealand and Ireland.
“Myself and my family moved over here in 2011 and Galway became our home thanks to the incredible people we met, especially our neighbours in Hazelwood who are now great friends.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time playing for Connacht Rugby and I’d like to thank everyone there who welcomed us from day one – all the staff, management team, the supporters, volunteers and of course my team mates. Connacht is a unique place and I’m proud to say I was part of it all at such a special time for the club.
“I’ve worked with some great coaches here in Eric (Elwood), Dan (McFarland), Pat (Lam) and Jimmy (Duffy) to name a few.
“I’d like to thank them all as well as Warren Gatland and Ian Foster for giving me my Super Rugby start in New Zealand, Chris Gibbes for making me captain of Waikato for my last two seasons there and Craig Stevenson for his work with me as a young prop.
Wishing Connacht & Ireland prop Nathan White the best of luck in the future after being forced to retire from rugby based on medical advice! pic.twitter.com/gVo1vXQmXn
“Going back further, I am really grateful to all the people and coaches at the Te Awamutu Sports Rugby Club for their fantastic support as I came through the grades.
“I’d also really like to thank Joe (Schmidt) for giving me the opportunity to come here in the first place and then to play for Ireland. To have the chance to represent Ireland at the World Cup was an extremely special time in my life and something I will cherish forever.
“There have been plenty of ups and downs, mostly with injuries, but throughout it all my wife Bronwyn has been there as a constant support.
“She moved our family to Ireland so I could play rugby and is an incredible mother to our four kids Libby, Harry and Liam and the youngest George who was born in Galway.
“My parents have been a constant source of support for me throughout my life and I’m very thankful for everything they have done for me.
“I’m not sure what exactly the future holds but I know I am really excited about it. I’ve loved my time as a player but feel I am ready to move on now and challenge myself in other ways.”
Nathan White made 58 appearances for Connacht Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
Connacht Rugby CEO Willie Ruane praised White and his career.
“Nathan has been a very important part of the team and organisation over the last number of years.
“He has contributed a great deal to the culture here and has inspired so many young players with his leadership on and off the pitch.
“He will of course be sorely missed at Connacht Rugby but he can be proud of what he has achieved both here and with Ireland.
“Our best wishes are with Nathan, Bronwyn and the kids for the future and the next chapter of their lives.”
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Ireland international White forced to retire from rugby after concussion injury
IRELAND AND CONNACHT prop Nathan White has been forced to retire from rugby following a concussion injury.
The announcement was made this morning by the IRFU and Connacht Rugby. White’s retirement comes on the back of medical advice after he has been sidelined since last March due to a concussion injury sustained in a game against Leinster.
White, a former Waikato captain in New Zealand, first joined Connacht in the summer of 2012. He had previously spent a season with Leinster during Joe Schmidt’s time in charge.
In total, White made 58 appearances for Connacht over the course of four campaigns. In August 2015, he made his international debut for Ireland against Scotland in the Aviva Stadium in a warm-up game before the Rugby World Cup.
White proceeded to feature in all of Ireland’s five games at the Rugby World Cup and their matches in the Six Nations last spring. He won 13 international caps for Ireland.
In a statement released today, White – who informed his Connacht teammates of his retirement this week – expressed his disappointment but revealed he will reflect on his career ‘with a lot of pride’.
“While it’s disappointing to finish up this way and not on my own terms, I feel that I can look back at my rugby career with a lot of pride.
“I am retiring at 35 years of age and with so many great memories from my time playing in both New Zealand and Ireland.
“Myself and my family moved over here in 2011 and Galway became our home thanks to the incredible people we met, especially our neighbours in Hazelwood who are now great friends.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time playing for Connacht Rugby and I’d like to thank everyone there who welcomed us from day one – all the staff, management team, the supporters, volunteers and of course my team mates. Connacht is a unique place and I’m proud to say I was part of it all at such a special time for the club.
“I’ve worked with some great coaches here in Eric (Elwood), Dan (McFarland), Pat (Lam) and Jimmy (Duffy) to name a few.
“I’d like to thank them all as well as Warren Gatland and Ian Foster for giving me my Super Rugby start in New Zealand, Chris Gibbes for making me captain of Waikato for my last two seasons there and Craig Stevenson for his work with me as a young prop.
“Going back further, I am really grateful to all the people and coaches at the Te Awamutu Sports Rugby Club for their fantastic support as I came through the grades.
“I’d also really like to thank Joe (Schmidt) for giving me the opportunity to come here in the first place and then to play for Ireland. To have the chance to represent Ireland at the World Cup was an extremely special time in my life and something I will cherish forever.
“There have been plenty of ups and downs, mostly with injuries, but throughout it all my wife Bronwyn has been there as a constant support.
“She moved our family to Ireland so I could play rugby and is an incredible mother to our four kids Libby, Harry and Liam and the youngest George who was born in Galway.
“My parents have been a constant source of support for me throughout my life and I’m very thankful for everything they have done for me.
“I’m not sure what exactly the future holds but I know I am really excited about it. I’ve loved my time as a player but feel I am ready to move on now and challenge myself in other ways.”
Connacht Rugby CEO Willie Ruane praised White and his career.
“Nathan has been a very important part of the team and organisation over the last number of years.
“He has contributed a great deal to the culture here and has inspired so many young players with his leadership on and off the pitch.
“He will of course be sorely missed at Connacht Rugby but he can be proud of what he has achieved both here and with Ireland.
“Our best wishes are with Nathan, Bronwyn and the kids for the future and the next chapter of their lives.”
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