Wallabies captain David Pocock was seriously injured 12 minutes into the match and was replaced by fellow flanker Smith.
“George Smith is phenomenal,” the normally understated White said after the match, before giving himself a pat on the back, saying it “was a stroke of genius” to bring Smith back from Japan.
Despite losing the national captain, White said Smith proved to be a key to the victory: “What a talent he is.”
White took charge of the bumbling Brumbies in 2011. He set about turning a team of nobodies into a hard-working, no-nonsense unit.
His success attracted players like Pocock, whose injury, a ruptured knee ligament, will keep him out for the remainder of the season.
The Brumbies currently lead the Super 15, five competition points ahead of the second-placed Bulls, who beat the Blues in Auckland for the first time on Sunday 28-21.
Crusaders vs Hurricanes
In Wellington on Saturday, the powerful Crusaders dominated the Hurricanes. With six minutes left in the game, the Crusaders broke free with a line of unmarked players.
Television commentator Justin Marshall, who was an outstanding All Black and played 105 games for the Crusaders, shouted: “It’s all over.”
Then, appearing out of nowhere, Hurricanes winger Alapati Leiua pounced on an intercept pass and coasted away to score the match-winning try.
Peter Lalanaabaravi is a rugby writer with over 30 years experience.
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