Montpellier: Jake's biggest challenge
He has fought the behemoths at the South African Rugby Union, he won a World Cup, lifted the Brumbies from no-hopers to Super Rugby finalists and even stuck his head into the hornets' nest that was the Golden Lions Rugby Union a few years ago.
Yet, Jake White believes his six-month consultancy stint with struggling French club Montpellier Hérault may just be the biggest and toughest challenge of his career.
Having arrived on the shores of the Mediterranean at the weekend, White and fellow South African Shaun Sowerby were unveiled on Tuesday as the men who would have to lift the club from the doldrums.
White will just be in a consultancy role – with head coach Fabien Galthie still in the picture, despite being 'suspended' for a couple of week
s – Sowerby was appointed as the club's new forwards coach.
President Mohed Altrad had finally lost patience with Galthie, after his team lost eight of their last nine matches and slumped to eight on the table.
In is understandable that Altrad is a bit edgy, having invested €2.4-million in the club after he became the main shareholder in May 2011.
The self-made businessman of Syrian origin is the head of the Altrad Group, a company involved in the construction industry, and an author that holds several degrees.
He
had high hopes when he took full control of the club – which emerged from the Second Division (ProD2), after winning it in 2003, and having won the European Shield a year later – as they were French Top 14 runners-up in 2011.
However, things have not gone to plan and White has been earmarked to salvage the sinking ship.
"I am not being arrogant when I said I have had success [as a coach]," White said in an interview after his unveiling in Montpellier on Tuesday.
"However, this adventure is the biggest challenge I've faced.
"This is made all the more difficult as I join [the club] in the middle of the season.
"I'm completely out of my comfort zone and I have a lot more difficulty in getting my message across because there is the language barrier."
He said, despite the obvious challenges, it's a "privilege" to be involved at Montpellier.
He described them as a "talented team", adding that the players are spoiled – as they have everything at hand.
White said that for him winning was everything and added that the hours they will spend working will "bear fruit".
"I'm no different from all those that revolve in the sport. We are all competitors.
"I think some people, because they play away from home, may feel that they are on vacation, but that is not the case with me and it will not be the case for the players either player. We get up every morning to be on top."
The one advantage for White is that he is familiar with a number of players at the club.
"I coached Ben Mowen and Sitaleki Timani [at the Brumbies], while I know [former Reds utility back] Ben Lucas, as well as [All Blacks] Rene Ranger and Anthony Tuitavake. Then there are Springboks Wynand Olivier and Pat Cilliers.
"I had the opportunity to see French players like Fufu [flank Fulgence Ouedraogo] and Benjamin Fall evolve. I have been following the Top 14 keenly."
He admitted that the changes at the club will inevitably lead to uncertainty and stress.
On top of that there are his own uncertainties – having never lived in France, he does not speak the language.
"What I said to the players at our first meeting is that everyone now must play their part and play the role that it was originally assigned. The most important thing now is not to look back, but focus on the future."
Interview brought to you courtesy of Montpellier club
@MHR_officiel
