In something of a pleasant surprise for Brumbies supporters, White has signed on the dotted line for four seasons from 2012 and will join the club at the completion of the current Super Rugby season.
Interim coach, Tony Rea has made it known that he will move on from the Brumbies at season’s end, having missed out on the job he inherited from Andy Friend and will seek head coaching roles elsewhere.
The other shortlisted candidates were interviewed but never named, only strengthening the assumptions that White would win out in the end.
White was first involved within the Springboks setup as an assistant coach in 2000 and 2001 and then guided South Africa to an under-21 World Cup in 2002.
A disappointing 2003 Rugby World Cup, in which the ‘Boks were eliminated in the quarters and after which, controversy surrounded the then-coach Rudolph Straeuli’s infamous pre-cup, Kamp Staaldraad “team building” exercises, saw White elevated to the Springboks top job.
Success was almost immediate for White at senior level, with South Africa winning the 2004 tri-Nations and White himself named IRB Coach of the Year.
Lean years followed in 2005 and 2006, but meticulous planning for the 2007 rugby World Cup saw South Africa announce themselves as contenders; thrashing England 36-0 on the way to topping Pool A and then triumphing 15-6 in the dour try-less final against the same opponents.
After a loss to the Barbarians in late 2008, White surprised the rugby world by stepping down, claiming at the time that South African rugby needed new blood to take the Springboks into the future.
Ironically, over time, White joined the chorus of criticism that this ‘new blood’, replacement, Peter de Villiers has endured since.
Since stepping down from the Springboks post, White has largely remained out of the coaching spotlight, save for the odd consulting role with European clubs, most recently with London Irish in January this year.
Despite this coaching absence though, White was continually linked to, and expressed interest in various coaching roles around the world.
This year alone, his name popped up alongside roles with London Wasps and a newly-created role of performance director for the RFU in England, before he threw his hat into the ring for the Brumbies job.
Of course, the Brumbies are quite happy that they’ve got their man, with the statement on the club’s website glowing in their admiration for White’s desire for not just attaining the position, but future success.
Brumbies CEO, Andrew Fagan: “He was an absolute standout in the interview process. He was thoroughly prepared and had obviously thought long and hard about his vision for the team and the organisation. His record says that he is one of the best coaches in world rugby and we’re delighted that he has agreed to join us in Canberra.
“Jake will bring a new feel to the Brumbies,” Fagan went on.
“I can assure our supporters that he is intent on winning games and titles. He is also keen to ensure that the Brumbies continue to be actively and positively engaged with the local community. We know we are working through a challenging period but this appointment is a key step in ensuring we have the rugby program capable of delivering success for our supporters.”
White’s statement continued the mutual admiration society, adding, “The Brumbies are one of the great teams of world rugby. I have followed them closely for many years, particularly since striking up a close friendship with former Head Coach Eddie Jones. I’m looking forward to taking charge of the team and working with the players, the administration and most importantly our supporters, to develop a team that will be competitive every time we step out onto the field.”
For one, he has the club hierarchy down pat already and while ever he keeps talking about “working with the players”, he would seem safe in Canberra.
While he’s already lost Matt Giteau, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Mitchell Chapman next year, White’s most immediate challenge will be luring the currently popular James O’Connor from Western Australia and enticing self-managed Wallaby captain Rocky Elsom to remain in the Capital for 2012, despite interest from New South Wales.
Injured Brumbies Captain Stephen Hoiles’ future also remains undecided.
Back to the present and interestingly, it’s been reported that White will travel to Bloemfontein and Durban to watch the Brumbies take on the Cheetahs and Sharks on their South African tour.
And speaking of the tour – the real reason the Brumbies flew into Cape Town – multiple changes have finally been made to the side for the Cheetahs clash in the early hours of Saturday morning (Australian time).
Most notably, the triple-playmaker plan has been shelved, with Matt Toomua dropping out of the 22 completely, Christian Lealiifano taking over at and actually wearing no.10 and Giteau finally wearing the jumper that reflects his inside centre position.
Brumbies side to take on the Cheetahs (0310 AEST Saturday): Pat McCabe, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Andrew Smith, Matt Giteau (capt), Francis Fainifo, Christian Lealiifano, Pat Phibbs, Colby Faingaa, Michael Hooper, Mitchell Chapman, Mark Chisholm, Peter Kimlin, Dan Palmer, Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander. Res: Huia Edmonds, Jono Owen, Ben Hand, Julian Salvi, Josh Valentine, Tyrone Smith, Robbie Coleman.
MattB
Guest
I too look forward to JW rattling the cage. Interesting that the same criticism levelled at Friend by the Brumbies (did not have much to offer the players, was getting paid for doing bugger all), was the same one that brought Nucifora undone. The difference back then was the Brumbies had quality players (Kafe, Larkham Roff etc) who came up with strategy. I am not sure the current crop have that proactive attitude or ability. One of the biggest problems the Buumbies have had this year has been the woeful service from Valentine. Surely this must be one of the first things adressed before they make any progress.
Cliff (Bishkek)
Guest
For Temba, I have replied to Brett on this as it seems your Roar Comment has no REPLY LISTED at the bottom of your Comment. Temba thanks for the analysis and I hope that you are 100% correct. I would expect the same but following the media spin doctoring and words by White re his "contacts/interests" I was and still remain a little skeptical. And I agree with your thinking on Larkham BUT only as long as White has the SAY. And you would expect that a Coach of White's credentials would have it all clear and concise and in writing as to his methods and approach. Let us wait and see but it can only be good for the Brumbies it it is successful and as Brett has said - "it is the last throw of the dice for the Brumbies to remain or rebuild as a successful Super Rugby franchise/club". So I hope that your concept is the one that is applied. Cheers
Shaun
Guest
Jake White definitely does not adhere to prima donnas, ask Matfield when JW first cam along. Jake dropped his lazy boots and told him to pick up his attitude and game if he wants to play for the boks and if he did that he would be the worlds premium lock.... we all know what followed.
Geoff Brisbane
Guest
Thanks Brett I do wish him well and the Brumbies who knows a potential Wallaby Coach for the future???
p.Tah
Guest
Look at the coaching pedigree in Australian rugby... White, Deans, MacQueen, McKenzie... We better achieve something soon...
TembaVJ
Roar Guru
Cliff I highly doubt White will take the current crop of coaches, he is very fussy about who he works with and I mean good fussy not full of it. To me the buck stops with the head coach, if they fail its his head, so he should have the rights to call the shots and appoint who he thinks best suited to working on his team. If its my head on the line and the buck stops with me, ill have the final word on all aspects. The problem that the burmbies have is the player power don't get hammered in the media when they lose, the coach does. The "in charge" players don't get fired when they play badly the coach does. White would not sign up to this sort of circus. My best is he would keep interview all current coaches and keep one, the rest are history. Who ever he decides to keep will be new to coaching, have history with the club and its culture. That would be his link to the heart of the brumbies. This selected person will be sent off season for heaps of training and learning + spend a lot of time with JW on prepping and planning (including selection of the rest of the coaching staff) My bet is he would keep Larkham, not because of his father but because of his history with the club. Larkham will learn much from White, this too will be an asset to Australia. In the end White will not give up power to anyone even the Fegan. I just cant see him risking his rep, if its not his sole responsibility.
Ben S
Roar Guru
That's so you, baby! Interesting times ahead. If I have one reservation about White it is that I have a suspicion that he has asked for a 4 year contract so he can build for something, or at least say he is building for something, as he did with the Springboks. That period allowed him to escape the sacking despite some monumental shellackings, but Super rugby is a totally different kettle of fish to Test rugby, as you allude to with your comment about attendances. Fans don't tend to have a huge amount of patience, and in a league with no relegation there is a desire for attractive rugby. It's all well and good White having grand plans (which is speculation on my part), but when you are coaching a side week in and week out, and not every few months, then you need something for the punters to grab hold of. IMO this is a huge gamble, especially with somebody like Steve Meehan coming off contract at Bath.
Brett McKay
Expert
Absolutely mate, I'll leave the hate for the code warers. And Tahs supporters wanting Tom Carter dropped.. I am a long term Brumby supporter, yes, but I included those quotes from the Brumbies site for their cheesiness as much as anything. It wasn't supposed to be line-toeing, but I see your point. That all said, I'm happy with White's appointment, but it's one that had to be made. The Brumbies are facing a massive period in their history, and they can't afford another four years of underperformance. The growing numbers of empty seats should be all the proof they need that it's time for the bullsh!t (to be blunt) to stop and for the winning to restart... (is that more 'me'??)
Ben S
Roar Guru
I did see that, Brett, and why not. Better love than hate, eh. Not a criticism, Brett, just thought it was a bit party line, which isn't really you - but you're a Brumbie at heart aren't you?
thurl
Guest
Canberra and Lifestyle don't belong in the same sentence...:-)
ohtani's jacket
Guest
The real one will be struggling with cattle by round eight.
Cliff (Bishkek)
Guest
Brett - It will be interesting and I hope it does turn the Brumbies around but the issues run deep: The Board - but at least Fagan may be on the side of common sense Larkham and Harrison Gregan, Roff and Paul Elsom - the problem child Moore - weaned on "Player Power" Good luck but for Aus Rugby a strong Brumbies is needed. Jake White may be the answer and put all my doubts to bed!!! Cheers
sportym
Guest
JW is too smart to coach the Tahs, sure he handled SA rugby, but that was easy compared to handing Phil waugh.
Brett McKay
Guest
cheers Cliff. It's going to be interesting to see how it all works, no question. All the fears you have expressed above also exist in my mind too, for the record, albeit perhaps not as boldly as you've outlined it here. You may be exaggerating, but you might be bang on the money too. But then again, it might just all work. The easy comment to make would be that if anyone could make it work, it would be Jake White, but I'm not going to pretend I know how he operates. So all I can say is, "It's going to be interesting..." That said, I do know this: the future of the Brumbies as a Super Rugby Franchise hangs on White's ability to turn things around. If White can't make it work, or worse, if the club rolls him before the end of the 2015 season, the Brumbies may never recover. Brumbies fans will just be like Souths or St.Kilda fans, clutching onto past glories forever...
sportym
Guest
Based on this year AAC should not be in the wallabies either, or any of them. Lets not be too harsh on Toomua cause of the dumb decisions that the Brumbies have made this year. Lets be realistic here, Toomua's skills and ability have nothing to do with him being selected at 10, no matter what happens Gits still thinks he is a 10.....
Cliff (Bishkek)
Guest
Brett, I know you are a Brumbies Fan and I used to enjoy following them in their early years. I am a Reds Fan for note. But after the "player power" ousted Nucifora I lost any time for the Brumbies even though I had a lot of respect for George Smith but the others, as far as I was concerned, were gutles dingoes. The same for the ousting of Friend. My concern and I mentioned it in a thread reply yesterday is the White statement of consulting or bringing into the fold the past players union - WHICH ARE ALL PART OF THE PREVIOUS "PLAYER POWER" Group. Add to that JW will have his job sorting out the likes of Moore and Elsom (if he stays) who are of a similar ilk to the previous names of Larkham, Gregan, Roff and Paul. My view is SWEEP IT CLEAN and bring in his own assistants with possibly one or two of the current assistants. The Brumbies Board will pander to the PLAYERS AGAIN and the likes of Gregan, Roff, Larkham and Roff will create havoc for JW. Maybe I am exaggerating - BUT - I hate to see the problem remain by bringing in the same. White needs to get rid of Larkham (or keep him under his (JWs) own guidelines), Harrison, and not even consider inputs from Gregan, Roff or Paul. As for Eddie Jones - MY GOD - a Coach who cannot Coach as a Consultant!!! Big head, Big Ego and Big mouth is all that Eddie offers. I wish your Brumbies well but unless there is a CULTURE CHANGE - or WHITE HAS IT IN WRITTING - "That What I Say - GOES", then I see no improvement because the Culture will not allow it. I would like to say that I do not like being NEGATIVE and the signing of WHITE is a POSITIVE but the accompanying statements by White lead me to believe - MORE OF THE SAME??? Cheers
Brett McKay
Guest
is the real one not really mates with Eddie Jones, OJ?? He might be more accepted if that were the case...
ohtani's jacket
Guest
Who is this Jake White that everyone is talking about and what happened to the real one?
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Great signing and much needed boost for the Brumbies, this may well have saved Fagan's job. White is no fool and wont put up with the rubbish that has gone on for far too long in Canberra.
Sam Taulelei
Roar Guru
"In Black and White" you can get it from any retail bookstore or online.