KEY POINTS:
EDINBURGH - Mike Brewer's imprint on Scotland's forward pack has been illustrated by the selection of Jason White for Sunday's (NZT) rugby clash with New Zealand - a player whose injury battles possibly strike a chord with the former All Black.
White, coach Frank Hadden's first captain when
he took over three years ago, capped his international comeback from a serious knee injury when chosen to play at Murrayfield in what will be his fifth test against the All Blacks.
The 67-test veteran owes his inclusion to a work ethic and determination that has clearly impressed Brewer, the 32-test All Black appointed as Scotland's forwards coach in August.
White, who first played the All Blacks on Scotland's tour in 2000, has been plagued by knee problems since he damaged ligaments when playing against Romania in 2006.
Eight months of rehabilitation followed, ending just in time for the blindside flanker to make Scotland's World Cup squad.
Unsurprisingly he struggled to find top form and when Scotland's 2008 Six Nations squad was announced he had been supplanted by up-and-coming No 6 Alasdair Strokosch.
Another knee procedure followed to tidy up the joint, a shoulder issue was also addressed but ironically once deemed back to full fitness White's stocks had slipped so dramatically he had trouble muscling back into the back row at English club Sale.
White has only made four appearances for the Sharks this season - hardly the sort of quality game time to push for reselection.
Indeed White had been on the verge of missing Scotland's warm weather training squad in Spain last week - the precursor to the team announcement - and practically pleaded to go.
"When I spoke to Frank (Hadden) he explained why I possibly wasn't going," White said.
"I had to say I disagreed, that I believed what I brought as a player merited inclusion and I put my case forward."
An anxious wait ensued until a week later he was told to pack his bags.
"I was delighted I got in, I put my head down and put in a good performance in training. I'm not sure what changed their minds." he said.
While White may be pondering what he did right Brewer, who experienced his own share of injury setbacks during nine years of sporadic international duty, was happy to enlighten him.
The camp in La Manga convinced Brewer that White still had the necessary qualities to irritate the All Blacks at the lineout and breakdown, while keeping his faculties intact.
"Part of selection at this level is how players adapt to pressure," Brewer explained.
"You get a lot of very good players at pro level who can't make that step-up and that's a psychological step players have to make - being able to make decisions under pressure, and in small amounts of time.
"That's why guys like Jason have got the nod."
Brewer placed returning locks Nathan Hines and Jim Hamilton in the same bracket, ditto tighthead prop Euan Murray, who he rated as the best packing down in the UK.
"All those players have the attributes we're looking for to create a platform to fracture (the All Blacks) and from which we can attack."
White admitted while it was frustrating to be sidelined, it never harmed his confidence and he was embracing the challenge of another crack at the All Blacks.
"The past year has been a bit of a swing, but I've always had self-belief," he said.
"Perhaps due to restrictions on my body I wasn't able to reproduce my form last season, maybe it was mental aspects as well, but I always tried to do my best.
"It will be the same this weekend. I feel fresh, my fitness and strength levels are good, so I'll go out do the best that I can for my country and hopefully that will be part of a really strong and exciting performance from Scotland."
"It would be an absolutely massive thing (to beat New Zealand). Someone is going to do it at some time, I'm sure, and I would be delighted if it was us at the weekend."
- NZPA
