Brumbies: There's life after Jake
The Brumbies have resigned themselves to a future without Jake White.
The Australian media and social networks have been abuzz with news of the World Cup-winning former Springbok coach's sudden departure from Canberra.
According to reports White requested the release from the last two years of his contract, citing personal reasons.
He coached the Brumbies for the last two years, taking them all the way to this year's Super Rugby grand Final, after they finished 13th the season before his arrival in Canberra.
Assistant coach Laurie Fisher, one of the early front-runners to take over from White, seemed to confirm his departure – although there were no formal statement from either White or the Brumbies.
Fisher said White's departure is not all doom and gloom.
Stay chilled folks, sun will still rise tomorrow, and Brumbies will be a massive presence in Super Rugby 2014 and beyond. #keepthefaith
— Laurie Fisher (@LordLaurie58) September 25, 2013
White coached the Springboks to a World Cup title in 2007 and had expressed a desire to return to international coaching.
He was one of the front-runners to take over as Wallaby coach when Robbie Deans was sacked, but ultimately lost out to Reds coach Ewen McKenzie.
His success in Canberra led to a number of Brumbies players – Matt Toomua, Jesse Mogg, Ben Mowen and Christian Lealiifano chief among them – being selected for Australia.
White, who is currently in Cape Town, will reportedly meet with some of the Brumbies players, including captain Ben Mowen, to explain his reason for leaving the franchise.
The players are preparing for the Rugby Championship Test between Australia and South Africa at Newlands on Saturday.
Some reports suggested White wants to return to South Africa, where he has business interests, while others linked him to coaching jobs in SA and France.
White was recently present at a Western Province training session in Cape Town, while some reports have also linked him to the Sharks' Super Rugby job.
French powerhouse Clermont is another on the list of teams being linked with White.
