“There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.” ― Ernest Hemingway
Hemingway’s quote can be interpreted many ways, but to me it represents that the best writing, and in fact the best anything, is that which is founded on the truth.
Yesterday I jogged through a beautiful coastal village in England.
The track ran parallel with the ocean and arced through blindingly green meadows and thick blueberry undergrowth.
The supple tones of Angus and Julia Stone flowed through my headphones, melting my brain into an almost transcendent bliss. If I didn’t know better, I’d have called it a religious experience.
Halfway through my run I was interrupted by a text message that told of Jake White’s resignation. My spiritual awakening ruined, I pondered the news as I trudged home.
I know that, in the greater scheme of things, who coaches which team in any of the world’s sports is a relatively insignificant matter. And yet, despite this, I can’t help but fixate on the issue, if only for a moment.
Jake and I go back a long way.
Our paths intersected at a similar time in our respective careers – both unproven, standing at the foot of the mountain, wondering if we could summit the heights of world rugby.
Winning the 2002 Junior World Cup launched both our careers.
Jake went on to become a World Cup winning coach and my career promised much but ultimately never really got off the ground at Wallaby level. Such is life.
I loved being coached by Jake as a junior – his passion for rugby was palpable and he believed so strongly in me that I could not help but believe in myself.
His complete faith in his program borders on the delusional, and yet he seems to have an uncanny knack of willing his vision into a reality.
When he called me early last year with the offer to return to the Brumbies, I initially turned him down. But the seed was well and truly planted and I couldn’t shake the sense that he was on the verge of something special with a raw, untapped group of players.
Jake understands the factors which underpin success in team sports as well as anyone.
He ensures that he surrounds himself with the very best personnel. He pays attention to standards and details and he always maintains the infectious conviction that his program will produce success.
He is usually right.
At the same time, I’ve come to know Jake as a highly strung, emotional and complex individual who can get bogged down and consumed by irrelevant issues and peripheral details.
For all Jake’s success, he appears unsatisfied, always chasing the next opportunity. And so it was when he applied for the Wallaby coaching position.
I know how disappointed Jake was at missing out on the Wallabies Job. He felt as though the politics that marred his time with the Springboks, and which he believed he had escaped in Australia, had burnt him once more.
With that said, failure to secure the Wallabies job is not an acceptable reason to resign from the Brumbies. It’s not even close to being an acceptable reason.
If Jake made his decision for family reasons, it’s an entirely different matter. No reasonable person would stand in the way of somebody with a desire to be closer to loved ones.
I hope that this is the sole reason for Jake’s decision. But if pining for home and family is Jake’s rationale for relocation, why apply for the Wallaby coaching job?
It’s all rather perplexing.
Ultimately, no team wants a coach who is not fully committed and passionate about achieving team goals, which is why Jake’s decision appears to be in the best interests of both he and the Brumbies.
What Jake and his support staff have created at the Brumbies is remarkable.
It’s safe to say that Jake achieved the goals set for him in half the expected time. Working with a unknown group of players and a clean slate, Jake revolutionised the Brumbies’ rugby program.
Along with Dean Benton, Laurie Fisher and Stephen Larkham, he drove the program to unprecedented levels of professionalism.
As a result, the current generation of Brumbies are indebted to Jake for creating the best rugby program in Australia.
I, for one, will always be grateful for the opportunity Jake gave me to return to the game after a four year absence. I can tell you my phone was hardly ringing off the hook with offers before Jake arrived in Canberra.
In Laurie Fisher and Stephen Larkham, the Brumbies have two utterly selfless individuals to carry the team forward.
Both Laurie and Bernie will always put the team first and have long been doing the bulk of the hands-on coaching. In this sense, the Brumbies are well-positioned to transition into next season in good hands.
But for now, I’m on holiday, so enough about rugby. Exploring Berlin will always be more interesting to me than anything about any coach of any sport. And that’s the truth.
Follow Clyde at his blog or via his Twitter page.
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Thanks for enjoyable article
GPRSA
Guest
As a Saffer I can quite understand selecting a local coach so don't have any issues with ARU. I have always been a fan of Wallabies style of rugby and equally been infuriated with stupid SA style. In the end however I would take a ciah that gets the results any day. Look what OZ did with diving by selecting a Chinese coach. I am sure there are a few other examples. It's early days for Ewan - give him time. Wallabies will come good. The greater issue however is not about the coach but the depth of talent available. More needs to be done a grassroots level - some examples : how dies union participation at schools compare to league. How much press coverage including free to air tv does NRL get compared to Union. Come on ARU get out of your ivory tower and do something about building a future for the sport - don't rely on a messiah coach to be your saviour. The southern hemisphere need a strong Wallaby team - its to eveyone's benefit. All the best for Argentina Walabies .
TakintheMicki
Guest
I'd like to know why there is a need to be able to take a text message whilst out jogging......
Hopperdoggy
Guest
Looks to me that too much emotion & pride are as much Jake's burden to bear as they are the ARUs.....
Steven van der Westhuizen
Guest
You write so well Clyde.
Gfdt
Guest
Just maybe Jake left a bit prematurely ? If Aus loses in SA and in Argentina, which is very possible, and lose a game or three at their end of the year northern hemisphere tour, he might have had the job ? How many chances will Ewen Mac get ? We all know that patience runs out quickly when a team loses. ( especially in australia ).
Colin Kennedy
Roar Guru
I was a big Jake White fan and, even if he does move to the Sharks, I'm going to find it hard to stomach him. Feels like when Lance Armstrong was finally uncloaked, leaves a sour taste in my mouth.
Mark
Guest
+1
Mark
Guest
There were only 3 teams to score fewer tries than the reds. So their defense is the entertaining rugby the ARU was looking for?
Mark
Guest
Hahaha I now see that entertainment was obviously the reason for the choice, after watching the first 4 games of the rugby championship. Some entertaining rugby the wallabies have been playing so far...
Blair Chaberer
Guest
I usually dont comment because of my proximity the situation but this article is so fatally ironical it's scary. Here's the real Irony though: the same entity who gave Rathbone (a self proclamed, adament ex-pat) a sense of belonging is the same entity who Rathbone should be blaming for his troubles. After all: not every SouthAfrican is keen to jump on the next train out, some of us still believe in South Africa. Maybe Oz does allude to a haven of safety and promise but "acceptability" is a perception that morphs quickly depending on which side of the Indian ocean you are standing...
David Baker
Roar Pro
I agree. New Zealand were lucky with the first World Cup. (Only side that took it seriously... rest of the teams on a P... up, No South Africa) And their second for that matter.... Dodgy ref Lawrence...blah blah After all they are the only WC winner that has never won the trophy away from home PS - KeepyourDistance acknowledged he was being unfair. PS (2) - See how dumb that sort of logic (excuses) sounds when it gets turned around? Whoever you are you can only pass the exam in front of you.
Shahsan
Guest
Good comment. I think you may be spot on.and I have always agreed with you that South Africa has been the luckiest winner of a World Cup. Some would say they were lucky with the first one too.
LEIGH'S LOUNGE
Guest
A very well written article by Clyde Rathbone! As a South African, I am concerned about whether or not Jake will actually remain in South Africa and be loyal to the Sharks. The saying "a rolling stone gathers no moss" is in the back of my head. Clyde certainly described Jake's personality to a tee. Maybe Jake is eyeing the Bok coach role again, but Heyneke Meyer in his own right, has oodles and oodles of experience and success and is worthy of being our coach and we hope for a long time to come. Whatever Jake's intentions are, I really hope he finds what he's looking for. As for the Aussies, they are in a slump at the moment, which all teams face at some point or another. I'm sure that McKenzie or another coach will get things going again and you never know, maybe the Aussies will still approach Jake in the future. Looking forward to the remainder of the competition and especially the SA vs NZ test. NZ are a class act!
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
Not strictly true Johnno. According to Andrew Fagan on ABC radio yesterday morning, he asked for a release immediately after missing out on the Wallabies job. He was talked around into staying, including a statement to the board immediately before commencing his vacation that he would continue at the Brumbies. I would suggest that the about turn on that decision is likely to catch any organisation by surprise.
KeepYourDistanceJake
Guest
Fair points - Jake White infuriates me. I agree, I was not fair.
David Baker
Roar Pro
Its either the Sharks or Clermont. Clermont will make the Sharks money seem like chicken feed. I doubt the Sharks are much offering more than the Brumbies What went through his mind? Well I agree he wasnt banking on the Aus job until he was put into the frame But once he was in the frame I believed he struggled to accept losing out. He does have a bit of an ego. His motives for choosing the Sharks? - Personal - Close to family - Getting together with John Smit Clermont - Money and that contradicts his personal reasons issue
Stormer boy
Guest
From a South Africans perspective: I think there is a bit more to it than losing the Wallaby job. Jake signed up for 4 years and on numerous occasions he verbalised his commitment to seeing it through. He was never going to win the S15 in 2 years and he knows this. Eddie Jones predicted he would win the competition in his 3rd year. Jake is a superb coach but, like Clyde says, he has weaknesses. Arrogance and fickleness being 2 of them. My theory is: he is currently in SA on holiday. It is during this period he was approached by John Smit (now CEO of Sharks Rugby) to take up the position of director of rugby at the Sharks. BTW he has taken the job. My guess is he was offered a substantial amount of money. Smit & White go back as far as Clyde did starting at WC U21's and then went on to win the WC as coach & captain. I think the decision is based on money and the old school teaming up thing. The Wallaby coaching job was never on his agenda until he was approached. So why is he so devastated. The Brumbies don't deserve this but in Laurie & Bernie they have 2 loyal servants unlike Jake the Snake.
David Baker
Roar Pro
Whilst JW is not my favourite person I dont think you are being fair to him a) Diminishing 2007 isnt fair any more than its fair to dismiss 2011 for the ABs slightly easier run. They beat England 36-0 in the pool stages and Argentina beating France and Fiji beating Wales turned our side on its head (a little like Australia losing to Ireland rejigged the 2011 draw) You can only beat whats in front of you and Australia and NZ blowing their respective games ... b) Poached the Eye Coach? - You mean the Freelance South African Eye Coach that works in the building adjacent to SARU in Cape Town? c) If you read John Smit's book (read Jakes as well) - you will see the meticulous planning that White did. He may have looked at Woodwards methods but you cant crib planning. The planning was meticulous per player. All leading to the World Cup d) Jake inherited a complete mess from Straelli - I He identified his young players and worked with them Early on his side was mainly WP but that changed to being Sharks and Bulls. (6 of each from the 17 that took the field. 5 from each for the starting 15) e) He did a good job at the Brumbies. I would agree that JW is a flawed character. I am well aware that many people dont like him. You arent being fair on him though
KeepYourDistanceJake
Guest
The fact is that Jake White won a world cup, where South Africa, had to beat Fiji in the Quarters, Argentina in the Semi's and an English Team that had revolted against the head coach in the Finals. Never has a world cup been so easy to win. Prior to this, Jake White had little to limited pedigree to speak of. South Africa won the Tri-Nations once under his term. Even Pieter De Villers won the Tri-Nations!! Jake White fashioned himself after Clive Woodward. He studied and copied him to the point of being ridiculous. Jake White had the same system installed in the stadiums to track players statistics, that Clive used, despite the fact that this system was now 4 years old and out of date. Jake also poached the same 'Eye' coach that Clive had used in his successful world cup campaign. Even the rugby that South Africa played mimicked that mucho physcial approach of the English in the Clive era. 'Bigger, Stronger, Better' being his philosophy. After Jake was sacked as the South African coach, he went into consulting. With his biggest client being the Lions. The structures that Jake White tried to install at the Lions, precipitated a collapse of such monumental proportions, that the JHB based team ended at the bottom of the Super Rugby log for proceeding years. So you might ask why was Jake White ever successful? Well....he wasn't. He relied on existing structures. He copied Clive Woodward, and he had the easiest run to World Cup, then anyone could have ever asked for. And whilst the Springboks were a formidable team under his term, remember that the bulk of the players were Blue Bulls players (over 50% of the squad came from one province). The coach of the Blue Bulls at the time.........Heneyke Meyer. The Senior Players carried the Springbok coach. The Truth is, Heneyke Meyer is the real threat, and is evident with the way the South African team is playing at the moment. What about his time with the Brumbies? Far too much credit has been given to Jake, when in fact Stephen Larkam and Laurie Fisher, have started implementing and improving structures before Jake had even arrived. Ask the Players, and they will tell who actually performs the coaching duties........it isn't Jake. The Brumbies are better off. I feel sorry for the next team that takes on this joker as their caretaker. He has shown himself to be unethical, poor loser, and arrogant. Jake White never had an original idea in his head.