After spending much of the year on the cusp of selection Matt White finally got his chance in a purple jersey.
On Sunday White became the 175th player to represent Melbourne Storm when he took to the field at Hunter Stadium.
The 32-year-old came into the side for the injured Jordan McLean and was certainly busy in his Storm debut, finishing with 26 tackles in 35 minutes.
Be at AAMI Park when we take on the Roosters, Saturday 23 July, 7:30pm.
It was White’s first game at NRL level in 10 months and the experienced front rower was happy to be back.
“It was good to get back out there and have a run. I’d been 18th man a few times and sort of on the edge of getting a start,” White said.
“It is always good to get out there and play with those blokes. Jesse and Cameron Smith, Cooper, blokes like that are great players so it is always good to play with them.
“It was good, a pretty physical game. It was good to get back out there and we held on so it was good.
“We didn’t have too much ball in the first half so we had to do a lot of defence and like all year our defence held up again.”
White will be a part of the Storm pack that will face a tough test against the Roosters this weekend.
The visitors will come to AAMI Park looking for their big forwards to lead the way, although Storm will hope to stop them from spoiling the party.
“I think it is old boys day so it should be a good crowd and all the boys will be pumped up, it is Jesse 150th as well” White said.
“The Roosters won’t be easy, they’ve got a big, physical pack but I think we will be up for it.”
Storm kick-off against the Roosters this Saturday at 7.30pm at AAMI Park.
