Jake White's record

 How many weeks back were those comments!!!!!!!

They are as valid today as they have always been. During the week a tearful Tooma expressed his devastation at not being a part of something that he claims is very special happening at the Brumbies. He has been at the club for several years, so that's quite a statement.

I have been an avid fan of Springbok rugby that saw them play all over the world following the team around many venues.   That I believe would qualify me to at least an opinion on the coaches.   If there are two coaches who destroyed SA it was Mallet and Straueli - both were punted by the media to replace coaches.

Mallet inherited a team from Du Plessis that lost in Cape Town against the Lions and due to buggered refereeing lost in Durban - partly because Honeybal missed all three trie conversions - whilst the Lions kicked 5 penalties and one drop goal.   In Pretoria they were humiliated and lost by a wide margin.    That was followed upo by a win by the largest margin ever against the Aussies.   He got the team from Du Plessis that then went on and won 17 tests in a row.   

Then disaster struck and Mallet had to start replacing players - but worse still whatever communication there was with the players and the captain became even more strained.   He fired Gary Teichmann without even speaking to him.    That was followed by a series of further disasters and a very poor World Cup.   THERE WAS NO WAY THAT MALLETT COULD EVER BE RATED AS A GOOD COACH - HE IN FACT WAS A DISASTER AS HE FAILED TO COMMUNICATE EVEN WITH HIS KEY PLAYERS.

Straueli was even worse than Mallett - whilst Mallett at least tried to get replacement players - he failed though - Straueli was clueless about player selection and could not idenrtify talented players.   I rate Jake White highly - any coach involved in winning the WC is and must be outstanding - since that is the trophy that really counts.    

Something to consider is that Jake was assistant coach for the Natal Sharks in the 2001 Super 12. That was the year the Sharks went to the final. Straeuli was largely selected because of the Shark's success, but it is clear that Jake was the brains of that outfit. Jake was released by the Sharks after that year and the team later went on to finish 10th the following year! So, from runners-up to 10th - 3rd last - that's quite a turnaround I would say. This is a similar scenario to Muir, who used Campese's work with the Sharks to build a reputation for himself. He dug the knife in Campese's back in 2007.

 Oh what bullshit - no player or supporter could be happy with a 50% record. There is nothing positive about that at all. I dont care who the coach is, that is just not good enough. There is no way in hell Jake can himself be happy with such an average start with the Brumbies

The Brumbies have been in with a shout of beating every team they've played. They were tactically constrained by the Reds to an extent, but even then they could have and won. They have been playing great rugby. And don't be so arrogant as to speak on behalf of an entire country and fanbase. They themselves rate him and that has been expressed repeatedly. Even Spiro Zavos, arguably the person who hates Bok rugby and SA with utter venom more than any other, rates Jake. Perhaps you are too left-field on this one Dave, as everybody in the rugby world disagrees with you! Except clowns like Keo and the ethnic-cleansing mob. You should consider what company you are in! lol.

 Nope, most people I know see Jake for who he is and how good a coach he is. Take the English for instance, they see him for exactly what he is. None of them wanted him coaching their team. Ask Becs what she thinks of good old Jake.

I'm not arrogant at all. I'm just saying that there is no ways the Aussies can be happy with a 50% win ratio - you saying they are leads me to conclude you are lying. For the Aussies are not that stupid to be happy with average to poor - they are a competitive nation and 50% just does not wash - nor does could have won this game and the other. A miss is as good as a mile - excuses, excuses

The English are a good laugh. Not much rugby acumen there. I'll take an Aussie view on rugby long before an Englishman's. Becs' post on Jake and the Boks was even more laughably flawed than yours.

 Yeah good one, especially considering rugby union is way down the pecking order in Oz. Becs has a better grasp of rugby reality than you do.