Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has recalled Nic White as the Wallabies halfback in a bid to inject some energy against the All Blacks after revealing his team was hard hit by their record loss to Argentina.

White will start against the All Blacks in Sydney on Saturday night in what is the most curious call made by Schmidt, who is boosted by the return of Hunter Paisami and Fraser McReight.

White, 34, didn’t play either match in Argentina and has replaced Jake Gordon in the No.9 jersey, with Tate McDermott on the bench.

He will partner former Brumbies teammate Noah Lolesio, who returns at No.10 to replace Ben Donaldson.

“Getting back from Santa Fe … that took its toll that game,” said Schmidt.

“There were a few boys who were a little bit ill and a little bit run down and Nic hadn’t played, he was the freshest and we just felt that making an early decision in the week to go with Nic… He has great leadership, all the nines have great leadership, and they’ve all at some stage been skipper of their Super Rugby side, so Nick was a pretty good fit and a good fit with Noah.

“They’re both originally from the Brumbies, they’ve played a fair bit of time together so we just felt that that combination would be a good one to start us off on Saturday.”

While the record 67-27 pounding in Santa Fe was enough to have heads and hearts dropping, illness just piled on the misery.

“There was a bit of a bug but nothing that affected the whole team, there were just individuals who got a little bit knocked around by it and everyone’s back on deck now,” Schmidt said.

“There was still a little bit of a lapse for a couple of guys at the start of this week who are not involved but they’re all back 100 per cent now, so some of them who aren’t involved this week may well be involved next week.”

Schmidt said he didn’t expect the Wallabies backline to be destabilised by the double change at No.9 and No.10.

“Hopefully it’s not destabilising because we all train together anyway,” said Schmidt.

“Hopefully there’s a bit of freshness as well because Nic White didn’t play in Argentina. He was by far the freshest when we hit the ground back here in Sydney.

“The other boys had had some pretty decent minutes. I don’t think it will destabilise us. Particularly not Nic’s relationship with Noah.

“They know each other really well. I think Nic still would have played a lot more with Noah than Jake Gordon has, for example.”

Lolesio was welcoming the reunion with his former clubmate.

“I feel very comfortable playing with Whitey,” Lolesio said.

“We’ve got a lot of history together playing at the Brumbies. He’s got a world-class kicking game. He has a real edge. And I think as a squad, we’re really spoiled with our nines.

“I’ve spent four years with Whitey, Tate and Jake. And they’re all great players and even better men. They’ve all individually got their strengths. And I think it’s just up to Joe who he prefers.

“For me, it doesn’t really change what I want to contribute for the team. I’m sure Whitey will do a great job for us.”

Schmidt has brought McReight straight back in for his first match in this year’s Rugby Championship following a broken thumb.

Carlo Tizzano has stepped up well in his place, but the magnitude of last week’s loss probably cost him any chance of withstanding McReight’s return – although Schmidt said he considered selecting both of them.

“Carlo’s been outstanding, absolutely outstanding. I think prior to that Santa Fe Test he attempted 62 tackles and made 62 tackles in three Test matches,” said Schmidt.

“He got three turnovers in the Test match in La Plata. I think Fraser was probably outstanding before that so trying to find a place for both of them, yeah it’s something we did consider. But we also feel Harry [Wilson’s] gone really well and Rob Valetini is Rob Valetini.”

Paisami’s resumption of his midfield partnership with Len Ikitau should help with the Wallabies cohesion in the area, said Schmidt.

“[Hunter] got through training on Tuesday. That’s when we knew he was fit to play,” said Schmidt.

“He felt good after Tuesday. Hunter’s a really punchy player for us. I think Hamish Stewart did a really good job, particularly in that first Test in Argentina, but Hunter’s got good experience as well with Lenny Ikitau, so those two together, I think as I said with Nic and Noah, having combinations does help with cohesion and so that was a good pairing for us we felt.”

The All Blacks made four changes to their team for the clash at Accor Stadium, with a backline reshuffle that moves Will Jordan from fullback to the wing and Beauden Barrett stepping in at No.15.

Schmidt, who was a member of Ian Foster’s All Blacks coaching staff at the World Cup last year, said he was unsure why they’d made that switch.

“Obviously during my time, Will played 15 but mostly 14,” said Schmidt.

“I think one of the things is Beauden Barrett’s experience and his kicking game and his voice in the backfield.

“He can be a really good foil for Damian McKenzie but that’s from my with whichever ten was playing.

“I understand the firepower that we’re up against on Saturday and I understand that having been associated with them and watching that World Cup final and playing 55 minutes with 14 players and losing by a point where you have a couple of tries in the second half and one that didn’t count, that’s how narrow the margins were.

“That’s how good they are. That in itself should keep our Wallaby boys on edge, I’ve no doubt.”