Hunter-bred Nic White has been close before with the ACT Brumbies.
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The Canberra-based club narrowly missed the Super Rugby play-offs in 2012, lost the final to the Chiefs in 2013 and reached the semis in both 2014 and 2015.
And while the competition itself has been turned upsidedown in 2020 because of the coronavirus crisis, with only Australian teams and no overseas entries, White wants to make the most of this chance to claim a trophy.
The Wallabies halfback, who returned home in July after almost five years playing in Europe, will start from the bench when the Brumbies host the Queensland Reds at GIO Stadium on Saturday night (7:20pm).
The newly formed Super Rugby AU title will be up for grabs.
"What you start to realise when you get older is they don't come around very often," White told the Newcastle Herald.
"Finals are hard to make and they are bloody hard to win. We want to make the most of this opportunity and hopefully we can get the job done."
The former Maitland junior lost his his previous two final appearances with English club Exeter, who are leading the recently re-started Premiership that White was part of before the COVID-19 break back in March.
However, throughout his career the Scone-born 30-year-old has helped claim the European Challenge Cup with French franchise Montpellier in 2015-16, the Rugby Championship with the Wallabies in 2015 and the Shute Shield with Sydney side Eastwood in 2011.
White feels his experience could come into play in the closing stages if on the field. Joe Powell is wearing the Brumbies' No.9 jersey.
"I'm used to starting, but I'm comfortable in this role," White said.
"It might be nice to finish a game rather than potentially coming off around the 50 or 60 minute mark.
"I want to bring energy, control and experience if I'm out there. Hopefully I'm not needed, but if I am and it's tight I want to make a difference."
White had his only start for the Super Rugby AU minor premiers, who enjoyed last weekend off, against upcoming opponents Queensland at Suncorp Stadium a fortnight ago. The Reds won 26-7.
"I don't think there was too much to take out of that game," he said.
"We had first place locked up, they had second place locked up, so it didn't really matter. In saying that they had more intensity and executed much better than us. We know they are a good side and we've had two weeks to prepare and I think we're ready to put our best foot forward."
Personally, following months of no games of training, the birth of his second son Sonny and a 14-day hotel quarantine in Sydney, White reckons he has "got rid of the rust" and is "ready for any challenges".
He will join the Wallabies for a training camp in the Hunter next week before heading to New Zealand for a Bledisloe Cup series.
The Rugby Championship follows in Australia with Newcastle's McDonald Jones Stadium touted as a potential Test venue.
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