White: Brumbies & England in tug-o'-war

The Brumbies will have to go head-to-head with England’s Rugby Football Union if they hope to retain the services of their World Cup-winning former Springbok coach.

It was confirmed on Thursday that South Africa’s 2007 World Cup-winning coach, White, has been formally approached for the England job and has expressed interested in taking on the role.

White, the head coach of the Brumbies, has been linked to the England position, currently filled by Stuart Lancaster on a caretaker basis following Martin Johnson’s post-World Cup resignation.

Brumbies Chief Executive Andrew Fagan issued a statement on Thursday saying that White had been approached by the RFU and had declared an interest, but that he would not be going anywhere at least for this year.

“Despite speculation that Jake has already been interviewed and offered the position, he has assured Brumbies Rugby that is not the case,” Fagan said.

“Jake has also provided assurances that regardless of the eventual decision made by the RFU, he will remain in Canberra with the Brumbies for the rest of the 2012 Super Rugby season.”

While Fagan praised White’s work with the Brumbies in the eight months he has been in Canberra and said he was aware of the possibilities the job of England head coach would present, looking ahead to the next World Cup in England in 2015.

“Obviously, this is a terrific opportunity for Jake White, and one which reflects his status as one of the world’s leading coaches,” Fagan said.

“It also speaks volumes about the quality of the rugby programme that Jake is putting in place here at the Brumbies that he should be sounded out for this role.

“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.”

Fagan said late last year when speculation first linked White with the England job that there was no clause in White’s Brumbies’ contract that allowed him to seek a release for an international position.

The latest development means England have the opportunity to put together a heavyweight coaching team – with New Zealand’s World Cup-winning backline coach Wayne Smith now linked to joining up with White.

White tasted World Cup success in 2007, while 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 Smith, according to media reports in England and New Zealand, is not interested in the top job. However,  England’s Press Association reports that he is keen on a return to the international arena as part of a new-look England management team.

Neither White nor Smith would be available to start with England until after England’s mid-year tour of South Africa, because both coaches have Super Rugby commitments until at least July.

But the RFU’s Chief Executive Ian Ritchie 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 leading contenders – while Eddie O’Sullivan and John Kirwan have also been linked to the job.

Lancaster is expected to be interviewed before the end of the Six Nations.

Smith did not apply for the position, 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.”

B&I Lions coaching legend Ian McGeechan, Conor O’Shea and Richard Hill will join Ritchie and Rob Andrew on a five-man panel which will advise the RFU board.