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White needs a second operation

Exclusive by Jenny Dixon
18/ 6/2008

SHARKS captain Jason White is to undergo his second operation of the summer on Friday.

Having already had a ‘tidy-up’ operation on his knee, White now needs a similar procedure on his shoulder, to ensure his body is at its optimum for the new season.

White explained: "My knee is doing very well but there have been a few complications and I have got to have a tidy-up on my shoulder on Friday.

"Once my knee and shoulder are sorted I’ll be fit for the start of next season."

After a five-week break spent "relaxing, spending time around the house and 10 days in Crete with my wife," White returned to Sharks’ Carrington training base for the start of pre-season on Monday.

Although his physical fine-tuning must wait until he has recovered from his operations, White is busy mentally preparing for the gruelling season that lies ahead.

"I was on the sidelines because I am limited as to what I can do," he said. "Everyone has got to find their feet now. There’s a few new faces and Steve Walsh [fitness coach] is working us quite hard, as you’d expect.

"Pre-season is tough. Players are put under stress and it is physically hard - players go home tired and sleep well at night! But this is a time when we can show our work ethic and determination which will stand us in good stead for next season."

After a disappointing conclusion to Sharks’ last Premiership campaign, in which a home loss against London Irish cost them a play-off place, White and his team-mates are no longer dwelling on what could have been.

White added: "It took a good two or three weeks to get over that and it was hard to watch the semi-finals, but it is great to get a rugby ball back in your hands and work on putting that to bed."

THE Land of the Long White Cloud turned black for Sharks’ England contingent yesterday [Tues] with three players excluded from the squad to face New Zealand in the second Test. Flyhalf Charlie Hodgson and scrumhalf Richard Wigglesworth were casualties of last weekend’s 37-20 loss against the All Blacks. Both started in the tie but they do not even make the bench on Saturday. Prop Andrew Sheridan misses the clash due to an eye laceration, which required 12 stitches.