White, the coach of the Brumbies and former World Cup-winning coach with the Springboks, arrived with his team in Dunedin late on Tuesday, to start preparing to face the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium tomorrow night.
The Brumbies are sitting second on the table, just behind the Chiefs on points differential, but the Highlanders will be their first New Zealand opponent in the competition.
That brings a whole new set of issues for the canny White.
''You have to approach it differently. Different countries ask different things of you as a team.
''The Highlanders have kicked the ball less than any other team so, obviously, there is a style that they like to play, too. The outside backs they have there with the likes of Ma'a Nonu, Ben Smith, Kade Poki ... there is no reason that is not going to work eventually.''
White said ball possession had to be valued greatly against the New Zealand sides.
''It means when you kick, you have to kick accurately, and when you defend, you have to stop them getting to the gain line. Stop them doing things that Kiwi sides like to do. They get one or two guys who bust the line and they get in behind you and that is their game.''
The Brumbies were sailing along well but have only won one of their past three, although that is considerably better than the Highlanders have managed.
White said playing four South African teams in a row took a toll on his side, but it had been revitalised with the introduction of fullback Jesse Mogg and former Waikato loose forward Jordan Smiler, who will make his debut at this level.
Australian rugby is in for a big year. The British and Irish Lions are touring, and there will be pressure on Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.
White is waiting in the wings, although he prefers not to look too far ahead.
''I would like to coach international rugby again. It is a great learning curve for me. In terms of Wallabies, I have always said I would want to win another World Cup. It is not a case of Wallabies, Springboks, All Blacks, or whatever.
''The reality is I would like to win another World Cup ... but at this moment in time I am contracted to the Brumbies and I am enjoying it.''
There has been speculation veteran George Smith is also in line for a return to the Wallaby jumper but the loose forward, who rejoined the Brumbies as injury cover last month, dampened that talk yesterday.
''I know where I stand with that. For me, it is very easy. I'm here with the Brumbies and contracted with Suntory.''
Smith (32) is contracted to the Brumbies until May 31, and then has a break planned.
''Would I like to continue with Brumbies? Of course I would. I love playing rugby and it is good for my upcoming Japanese season.''
Smith said much had changed since he left the Wallabies but it also seemed like yesterday since he started with the Brumbies.
He joked that when he took the field, he would bring down the average age of the sides, with the likes of Highlanders lock Brad Thorn on the field.