By WYNNE GRAY
Barbecues, beers and racing were going to be Nick White's sporting recipe for the next few weeks.
However, a phone call to the prop at an Auckland Supporters' Club midweek function changed his plans significantly.
White had been picked to replace Carl Hoeft in the New Zealand A side travelling to Europe for a four-game trip, because Hoeft had been promoted to replace the injured Craig Dowd in the All Blacks.
Dowd could not be reached yesterday to discuss his injury or comments attributed to All Black manager Andrew Martin, criticising the prop for playing while injured.
Meanwhile, White cancelled a scheduled visit to the Melbourne Cup carnival, social engagements got the flick and an ARU sponsors' golf day yesterday was bypassed as White assembled with his new NZ A team-mates.
"It was all a little bit of a surprise," White said of his NZ A choice.
Usually a loosehead prop, White had to wait behind Auckland captain Paul Thomson for that job while Dowd covered the tighthead work.
White started several NPC games and came off the substitutes' bench in most matches on either side of the scrum.
He feels that his versatility must have swung his replacement selection.
"I must have done enough, though I am still learning how to play on the tighthead. Obviously, being able to play both sides helps."
White joins Dave Hewitt and Carl Hayman as NZ A props.
NZ A and Northland NPC captain Glenn Taylor has signed another two-year deal to stay with his province as administrators eye a list of transfers, including Justin Collins, David Holwell, Norm Maxwell and Mark Robinson.
White joins Dave Hewitt and Carl Hayman as NZ A props, with Carl Hoeft earning an All Black reprieve because of Dowd's back injury.
Rugby: No beer, skittles for NZ A new boy
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