Wallabies scrum-half Nic White is raring to go as he prepares to make his return from injury in the second Test on August 14 at Eden Park.
White was ruled out for the French series after suffering an MCL injury during training.
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It will be nearly three months since the Brumbies half last took the field in a competitive game, the Super Rugby AU Final, if White is called upon by Rennie.
Despite that, the Wallabies coach was confident he's done the necessary tests and training to make a difference.
“He’s ready to go…he’s worked really hard and got a lot of volume at training,” Rennie said on Thursday.
“A lot of that acceleration and deceleration stuff is important for a nine and their speed to the breakdown. He’s done a good volume of kicking (as well) so he’s ready to go.”
After missing the first Test, the 31-year-old believes there's no better time to return after being named on the bench for the must-win second Test.
“The body’s good, ready to go,” he told reporters. “To the medical team in Canberra and in camp, hats off to them. Followed their plan and everything has gone smoothly so I’m stocked to be back.
“Playing the All Blacks at Eden Park, there’s already plenty of motivation, these are the ones you dream of. There’s a lot to play for and I’m not the only one that’ll be pumped up for it and I know both teams will be.
“This is awesome for rugby and everything that’s going on at the moment. I guess there will be a lot of people looking at this game especially with a full house so there’s a lot of motivation.”
White comes into the side for Jake Gordon, who Rennie admits was ‘unlucky’ to miss out after overcoming his own MCL injury.
When White went down ahead of the French series, Gordon was the one to step up for the first Test in his absence, named to start for the first Test.
It marked a remarkable recovery for the Waratahs scrumhalf, who was feared to have done his ACL during the final game of Trans-Tasman.
He was eventually replaced by Reds' Tate McDermott, who will once again start this week.
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As White prepares to return in place of Gordon, he admits it's been nice to bounce off the Waratahs skipper after suffering injuries in similar circumstances.
“Ironically (we) did it in the exact same way, which is pretty rare. It’s good having him just to talk about getting confidence in what I could do and get through it,” he added.
“He’s a good man so we’ve bounced off each other well.”
