Jake White interested in England role

 

Alex Lowe
Thursday 08 March 2012 16:20 GMT
Comments
Jake White, who coached the Springboks to their 2007 World Cup win, would not be in a position to start until after England's summer tour to South Africa
Jake White, who coached the Springboks to their 2007 World Cup win, would not be in a position to start until after England's summer tour to South Africa (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

England have the opportunity to put together a heavyweight coaching team of Jake White and Wayne Smith to lead England into the 2015 Rugby World Cup on home soil.

White and Smith have both won the World Cup - with South Africa and New Zealand respectively - and they are interested in bringing that experience to a new-look England set-up.

White, who tasted global success in 2007, has confirmed he wants to be England's next head coach after being approached about the job by the Rugby Football Union.

Smith was one of New Zealand's "three wise men" - along with Graham Henry and Steve Hanson - who masterminded the All Blacks' triumph last October.

The 55-year-old is not interested in the top job but he has told Press Association Sport he is keen on a return to international rugby as part of a new-look England management team.

Neither White nor Smith would be available to start with England until after the summer tour of South Africa because both coaches have Super Rugby commitments until June.

But the RFU's chief executive Ian Ritchie has confirmed he will be prepared to wait until the start of next season if it means recruiting the right coaching team.

England's current interim coach Stuart Lancaster and the former South Africa and Italy coach Nick Mallett are also understood to be in contention.

White, who is eight months into a four-year deal with Australian team the ACT Brumbies, did not apply for the England job before the February 15 deadline.

But the very fact the RFU contacted him suggests White is now the front-runner to become Martin Johnson's permanent successor.

Brumbies chief executive Andrew Fagan said: "Obviously this is a terrific opportunity for Jake White, and one which reflects his status as one of the world's leading coaches.

"That said, Jake is in the first of a four-year contract with the Brumbies, and there are many details that would need to be worked through should he be successful with his application."

Smith did not apply for the position either, turned off by a job description he called "woolly" and more suitable for a director of rugby than a hands-on coach.

But the former Northampton boss, currently working with the Chiefs in Super Rugby, wants to return to the international stage and he views England as an exciting opportunity.

"I didn't think the head coach's job fitted my skill set. It looked like an elite performance job and really my interest is in coaching," Smith told Press Association Sport.

"When the job is filled I want to be involved in international rugby again. I like England. If there is an opportunity there I would be interested."

If White was appointed to start in July, the RFU would ask Lancaster to continue in his role as interim coach and lead England on the summer tour.

Lancaster would then be in the odd position of coaching England in three Test matches against the Springboks knowing the RFU have rejected his application for the full-time post.

It would also mean White's first game in charge would be against Fiji on November 10, nearly a year after Johnson announced he was standing down in the wake of England's World Cup debacle.

Lancaster picked up the reins on an interim basis and his work on and off the field to restore the image of English rugby has impressed Twickenham executives.

But with success at the 2015 World Cup England's priority, top-level international coaching experience appears to be one of the RFU's key criteria.

John Kirwan coached Italy and Japan to three World Cups but his application for the job was turned down because he has not been in charge of a top eight team.

Mallett coached South Africa to a record 17 successive wins and past England into the 1999 World Cup semi-finals before enjoying a successful stint with Stade Francais and four years with Italy.

"Stuart has done well over the last few weeks and he has obviously made a good impression. That has been reflected in the fact he has been shortlisted," Smith said.

"Nick Mallett has a history behind him that says he is up to the job. They are both strong candidates."

White guided the Springboks to their 2007 World Cup triumph and has said previously that the prospect of winning the Webb Ellis Trophy for a second time is an exciting one.

"During the (2011) World Cup there were times when I thought it would be wonderful to be back on this stage," White said in November.

"I'm sure that if an opportunity came about, it's something I'd like to do again.

"I'd love to get another chance of testing myself at the World Cup. To win it twice would be a real dream come true."

PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in