Brumbies give White the nod

[mudskipper]

CAPE TOWN: Former World Cup-winning coach Jake White will be given the task of rebuilding the Brumbies next year and beyond.

The Brumbies will pin their hopes of re-establishing themselves as a Super Rugby force by offering White the top job. It is understood that while no contract has been finalised, White was the clear standout candidate interviewed to take over the Brumbies' coaching reins. White was one of four hopefuls shortlisted.

Contrary to reports, caretaker coach Tony Rea was on the shortlist and was seriously considered as a permanent replacement after Andy Friend was sacked in February.
However, it is believed White's credentials - which include leading South Africa to a World Cup triumph in 2007 - made his application too hard to turn down.

The Herald understands Rea has been told the Brumbies want to appoint White. Rea - who joined the Brumbies as a specialist defence coach in 2009 - will likely leave Canberra at the end of the season.

The Brumbies are expected to announce their new head coach this week before the team plays the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday morning (Australian time).

Club chief executive Andrew Fagan, former players Joe Roff and Pat Howard and Canberra businessman John Mackay comprised the panel which decided who would coach the Brumbies next season.

''We do hope to finalise [who will be the new coach] by the end of the week,'' Fagan said. ''Once we've made that final decision, we will announce it … We need to feel very confident about such an important decision.''

White has long held an interest in the Brumbies' game style. He was one of the first candidates to contact the club and state his intention to end the Brumbies' finals drought.

Former Wallabies and Brumbies coach Eddie Jones has endorsed White as the right man to take over from Friend, who was axed after just two games this season after his relationship with senior Brumbies players deteriorated.

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/un...425-1duao.html

[zimeric]

sometimes these headlines are total CRAP!! grrrrrrr

again another nothing article with a misleading headline.

[todd4]

Muddy, do you think there will there be any noses put out of joint if White is appointed?

Maybe an authoritarian approach is what is needed to get them back on track.

[Burgs]

His first job is to ensure the Committee have one way tickets out of Canberra.
AAC may be waiting to see who the new Coach is going to be, maybe the potential new Coaches were waiting to see who were leaving...

[GIGS20]

Won't the various soft princess types run for the hills when Jake White is announced as the coach?

[Hoolly Doolly]

Apparantly Elsom has been snivelling back to the tahds....cant see where they can fit him in the squad when they need to recruit more backs.
The way I see it Rocky either stays at the ACT or go to Melbourne.

[GIGS20]

THANK GOD!!! I thought you might be suggesting he come west!

[jargan83]

Matt Giteau will Coach the Brumbies over the phone from France

True story

[Darren]

really?!

[Hoolly Doolly]

THANK GOD!!! I thought you might be suggesting he come west!

No Way!!!
Although we can probably use him on the wing seeing as thats where he spends most of his time.

[jono]

holy shit! gits wasnt on the panel to select the new coach?

[mudskipper]

Rea schedules his departure while Brumbies meet new coach at Cape Town hotel


April 27, 2011

CAPE TOWN: ACT Brumbies mentor Tony Rea will leave Canberra at the end of the Super Rugby season to chase another head coaching opportunity, and the franchise will announce today that he will be replaced by South African Jake White for the next four years.

White guided South Africa to a World Cup victory in 2007 and is keen to resurrect the Brumbies as Australia's premier Super Rugby club.

Rea admitted it was disappointing he had been overlooked to be a permanent head coach after taking over from Andy Friend in February.

Speaking from Cape Town, Rea confirmed White's appointment would result in his leaving the capital in the coming months. He will still be in charge of the Brumbies for the final nine weeks of the season.

He insisted he was not bitter and would not duck making any hard calls in his final two months. ''I am disappointed, but I am fine with the decision. It doesn't affect my confidence,'' Rea said. ''I believe strongly in what I'm doing and how I'm going and as long as I feel like that, I'm cool with the decision.

''I'm not going to make any soft decisions for this group. I'm not going to change my behaviour at all. The players know that. Everything else that will happen next year is irrelevant for now.''

The Brumbies will leave Cape Town today to finalise preparations for their clash with the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein. Their stopover in Cape Town allowed White to meet most of the playing group at the team's hotel yesterday.

He is also likely to travel to Bloemfontein and Durban to watch the Brumbies' two games in South Africa.

White's coaching credentials made him too hard to ignore for the Brumbies board and selection panel. He guided the South African under-21s side to a junior World Cup triumph in 2002 before taking over the Springboks two years later.

He helped them win the Tri Nations in 2004 before succeeding at the 2007 World Cup. Rea took over the Brumbies' top job when Friend was sacked after just two games this season.

In his six Super Rugby matches in charge, the team has only been able to record one victory. When asked if his five losses made it hard for the selection panel to choose him over White, Rea said: ''You'd have to ask them that. You would think people would be stronger than that and have their eyes open to see the group is moving forward.

''We don't have results, but it has 100 per cent made me more confident … I'm comfortable with what we're doing.''

The Brumbies playing group was informed earlier this week of the decision to replace Rea with White next year.

Rea came to Canberra as Friend's specialist defensive coach to start the 2009 season. And having been a head coach in the English Super League and now Super Rugby, Rea said he would need to leave Canberra to pursue his ambition of taking charge of another professional team.

But he doesn't want to say goodbye to Canberra on a sour note. He is determined to turn the Brumbies' season around before leaving and is confident the team can start with a victory against the Cheetahs.

''We haven't had the results this season, but having this time has confirmed to myself that I'm sweet in the coaching role and with the jobs that come with it,'' Rea said.

''There's a lot to play for - I'm not the only one leaving. There are a fair few blokes [like Matt Giteau, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Mitchell Chapman] leaving so it's our last little campaign together. Because of the year we've had, I really admire how strong the guys have been.''

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/un...426-1dv6j.html

[Burgs]

''I'm not going to make any soft decisions for this group. I'm not going to change my behaviour at all."

Aren't they contradictory statements

''I'm not going to make any decisions for this group. I'm not going to change my behaviour at all."

Ahhh, that's better

[mudskipper]

Muddy, do you think there will there be any noses put out of joint if White is appointed?

Maybe an authoritarian approach is what is needed to get them back on track.

Speaking to an ex-Bok here in Sydney he noted that Jake White was an astute people person and player manager more than authoritarian. He had plenty of respect for him. I also assume he will choose his support staff, they may include some current Brumbies staff. Head Coach can choose his crew. If that upsets people so be it. However I'd be suprised if he did hold onto Larkham. Its more likely he'll sign a new forwards/scrum/defense coach one or 2 in these roles. People may be referring to the Canberra as the Republic soon. I don't see him as over authoritarian leader but a head coach who knows what keeps players and staff focussed on their key goals.

I'm sure he will demand complete commitment to the rebuilding process.

I don't think his appointment was unexpected and the Brumbies have been able to introduced him to many of the players in cape Town.

Its a big call from the Brumbies but after the last few seasons something new is needed. But thats 2012 there is still plenty to play for in 2011.

Jake White has been offered a 4 year contract.

[GIGS20]

South African rugby is always authoritative, you can see it in their juniors, their club coaches, everywhere. Jake Whit might be the least authoritarian coach in south Africa, but in Brumbyland he'll be seen as a hard ass.

You can only hope the players are on board with that personality, because in Canberra, if the players aren't happy, the coach goes!