Jake White: I did not get the job because I was South African

 09th July 2013 09:36

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Not impressed: Jake White

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Brumbies coach Jake White says that he didn't get the job of Australian head coach because he is a South African.

 

 

The World Cup-winning coach was in the running to replace Robbie Deans at the helm of the Wallabies, but lost out to Reds boss Ewen McKenzie.

 

White insists that it is not an imagined scenario that he was over-looked for the position because he was not Australian.

 

"It's not a perception. It's a fact," White is quoted as saying by AAP.

 

"It just happened. You fired the cricket coach, put an Aussie in, fired the rugby coach and put an Aussie in.

 

"It's not a case that I'm fearing about it. South African pick a South African, Kiwis pick Kiwis. England rugby pick English people to pick the team.

 

"They've tried foreigners and I appreciate that. That doesn't mean that I have to agree or disagree with it. That's the nature of the game we're in.

 

The 50-year-old hinted that he may try to obtain Australian citizenship so that he is better placed should their be a vacancy in the near future.

 

"I'm not sure. I've got to say, 'I'm not sure, mate'," he quipped.

 

Despite seemingly feeling bitter about the situation, White wished McKenzie well.

 

"It hasn't panned out. They've obviously gone for Ewen and that's fantastic," he said.

 

"He's got a phenomenal record for the Reds and the Waratahs. He's been there and done it in terms of Super Rugby, he's played for Australia.

 

"I wish him all the best."

LMAO, in SA or out of SA, white saffas still playing the race card, :oP

i never thought jake white stood a chance TBH, i agree that deano has soured the waters for any internatioal hopeful, but ewan "porky pig" mackenzie has more then one reason to get the wallabies job ahead of white,,,
- he was the runner up when deano was annoited
- he has a better super rugby record, especially with the 2011 title under his belt (x2)
- reds succession plan has been in effect and the disruption will be minimal, a big plus in the ARUs eyes
- All Blacks, white has proven that he dosent know how to beat them, he won 1 from 2 tests in 04 & 05, won 1 in a best out of three in 06 and was whitewashed in 07.
maceknzie has a 55% record ada inst the kiwi teams in spXV and isnt tainted by the All Black (yet)
- does the ARU trust white even wants to be a coach. after all, he didnt even bother reapplying for the Bok job after 07.
the circumstances around it was dodgy and odd, but he could have at least applied for the position and him not doing so is either cos of his ego or he didnt care, both traits no country wants.

so no surprises about ewan "extra cheese" mackenzie getting the nod ahead.

white should go cry me a river elsewhere.

WTF did he play the racial card? Sasue, I have told you many times before that I respect your rugby posts, but you fall short every time that you open your mouth about South Africa and the politcal situation and/or history of the country.

This remark: "LMAO, in SA or out of SA, white saffas still playing the race card, :oP" was totally out of place and uncalled for. Jake White explained exactly what he meant by his remark, yet you chose to ignore it to suit your own little agenda. If anything, yours is a racist remark.

"LMAO, in SA or out of SA, white saffas still playing the race card" "White should go cry me a river elsewhere" Sasu that was a very foolish immature statement from you. Jake White was not bragging about it at all, as a matter of fact he was modest and whished McKenzie all the best. If you can't stick to valid point in your posts I suggest you go to another forum. You also made a stupid reply when I stated my opinion about how bad some of the refs were with the Stormers, clearly I stated the obvious truth. I regard nz refs bad also when they ref both nz teams, they tend to blow for the wrong infringement at times especially Steve walsh. You shouldn't get offended but rather look into detail about actual facts.   

Jake needed another international coach in Eddie to win that cup

I doubt Sasuke intended any offence. 

The article title plays on affirmative action, but it nothing to do with being South African. 

Rather it is about not being Australian because the last cricket and Rugby coaches were from other countries.

Sharkbok, you are misquoting Jake White! White said  Ewen got the job because he deserved it and NOT because he was Australian! He also said he did not get the job because he was not good enough ;)

Even though Jake is an individual he is in a sense a business.  Like me, I sell my skills in the construction business.  So, he has to market himself in a very competitive world.  sometimes, what he says is not all too clear for us normal folk but it is his way to ensure he increases his brand awareness.  We may not alwayas agree with him, but looking at it from here, he must be quite good else he would not have achieved what he has.  He is not my competition so good luck Jake ou maat, moer hulle!

Sydney - ARU boss Bill Pulver said Jake White's perceived defensive style and the preference for an Australian at the helm were factors in the Brumbies coach being overlooked for the Wallabies position. According to the smh.com.au website, Pulver met Brumbies players in Canberra on Wednesday, but he did not to talk to White, just a day after announcing Ewen McKenzie had been appointed the Wallabies successor to Robbie Deans.

It's understood the pair have not yet had the chance to speak about why McKenzie was preferred over the 2007 World-Cup winning South African coach. Pulver, however, said McKenzie had impressed the selection panel with his vision to 'coach the Australian way', a reference to playing attractive and attacking football. The statistics don't tell the same story. The Brumbies have beaten McKenzie's Reds in the try-scoring tally for the past two Super Rugby seasons, including a huge 11-try gap between the teams this year. 'Both were world-class options, Jake's case was very compelling … he has an outstanding coaching record,' Pulver said. 'I just think there has probably been a little bit more creativity inside Ewen's programs. He's very vocal in saying 'winning is not enough'. You've got to win in a way that excites and captures the hearts and minds of the rugby community. I agree [with McKenzie]. At this point in time I'd say Ewen [compared with White] has the strongest point in that particular area … One of the things Ewen came out strongly on was the ability to coach the Australian way.'

Pulver denied the ARU had only been interested in appointing an Australian in the top job after New Zealander Robbie Deans - the Wallabies' first foreign coach - was axed with six months left on his contract. Pulver said the preference was to 'find the best coach', adding: 'But when you've got two coaches of such a similar standard, there is clearly some advantage in being Australian.' The ARU sounded out White in February before the start of the season about his interest in being the next Wallabies coach. The Brumbies coach was invited to a secret job interview in Melbourne two weeks ago.

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Origin-and-style-against-White-20130711

 Yes well said windpomp! ou sasSUE is of course confused. Given that Jake is white and Ewen is white one can only marvel saSUE say saffas are playing the race card!!  saSUe may have tried to argue that a nationality card is being played but unjustly so.

Also saSUE talks of saffas. Surely its just Jake and not saffas generally.

My good friend saSUE is all confused again. No wonder StormingED felt very put out when I was suggesting saSUE was him. Bwahahahahahahhahaha

saSUE playing race cards doesnt go down well so try another wind up angle boet! 

Beeno ever ready to assist and guide struggling kiwi bird brains!

One other thing saSUE in 2007 I seem to recall Jake playing a second string BoK side. Also we will never know what he could have achieved had he continued as Bok coach and continued the upward path of the Boks for the 4 years after the world cup win.

I have no problem with  the Ozzies picking Ewen as its their call and perhaps they felt an ozzie understands their style of play better. They may have missed an opportunity though by not appointing Jake. 

See? what did i tell you guys? the aru wants to return to its roots and play the wallaby way. try t remember what bok rugby was like when some coachs tried to play another way than bok style it never worked so why must wallabies be criticised for wanting a guy who can take us back to our strengths? ewan is like the jake white of aussies so i think he had the edge but jake is a great coach too and i think it would be better for him as well as aussie rugby if he continued with the brumbies the aru know jake will be producing brumbies and they are the best provincial side so selecting ewan was the least disruptive choice so thats another thing to think about. image how good jake will be in another two years! scary.