White turns down England offer
South Africa’s former World Cup-winning coach Jake White has turned down a lucrative offer from England and will remain loyal to the Brumbies for the foreseeable future.
At the same time another former Springbok mentor, Nick Mallett, has emerged as the leading candidate – with dispatches from England suggesting that he had a ‘secret’ meeting with the Rugby Football Union to discuss an offer to become the national team’s head coach.
White, who guided South Africa to the Webb Ellis trophy in 2007, revealed on the social network, twitter, that he will remain with the Brumbies.
“Always hard turning down a chance to win a world cup, but rugby is about making the right decisions and that’s to stay with@BrumbiesRugby,” White said.
“Want to tweet thanks for all the interest and support. The players are happy and we are now focused on the Cheetahs. Cheers@BrumbiesRugby,” he added.
White has a four-year deal with the Canberra-based franchise and White’s decision to rule himself out means Mallett and current interim coach Stuart Lancaster remain the front runners to replace Martin Johnson.
On Thursday, White confirmed that the RFU had approached him about coaching England.
White had previously stated his commitment to remain with the Brumbies until the end of their current campaign.
That would have ruled him out of England’s June tour to South Africa.
Interim England coach Stuart Lancaster is expected to be interviewed before the end of the Six Nations as the RFU search for Martin Johnson’s successor.
Apart from Lancaster and Mallett, Eddie O’Sullivan and John Kirwan have all been linked to the job.
Ian McGeechan, Conor O’Shea and Richard Hill will join RFU Chief Executive Ian Ritchie and Rob Andrew on a five-man panel which will advise the union on the new coach.
According to reports in the UK Mallett has had ‘direct contact’ with the RFU on a visit to this country and has indicated he would be available for the tour of South Africa in June.
Previous reports had suggested the former Springbok, Italy and Stade Francais coach had merely spoken to Ritchie and his advisers by conference call from Cape Town.
However, Sportsmail reported that the 55-year-old South African has met his prospective employers in person as they continue their accelerated search for the right man to take charge of the national team on a long-term basis.
It is thought that Mallett, if appointed, would be willing to take up the post in time to lead England on their summer trip to his home country. They will play three Tests against the Boks – in Durban, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth on June 9, 16 and 23.
Being available for the tour would benefit him in the race to be appointed as the new head coach.
