White pulls out of England race

Jake White has withdrawn his interest in the job of England Head Coach to stay with the University of Canberra Brumbies.
 
The draw of being closer to family and leading one of the world’s most promising rugby countries into a home World Cup in 2015 had proven attractive to White, who was tapped on the shoulder by a recruiting agency on behalf of the RFU.

White’s focus, and that of his team, has been on the Cheetahs all week, but without the distraction caused by constant media speculation over the last 10 days the team will have an even greater resolve to perform on Saturday afternoon.

The University of Canberra Brumbies face the Cheetahs on Saturday afternoon as part of Family Day at Canberra Stadium, with a 3.30pm kick-off.

Ex Supersport

World Cup-winning coach Jake White has turned down the chance to apply for the vacant England job, saying on Friday he was committed to Super Rugby franchise Brumbies.

Brumbies had released a statement on Thursday revealing that White, who coached South Africa to victory in the 2007 World Cup, had been approached by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) as it seeks to find a permanent replacement for Martin Johnson.

Asked at a news conference in Canberra on Friday whether he was interested in the post, the 48-year-old South African replied: "No, no, no, no.

"I'm here for four years with the Brumbies. I've signed on the bottom line and you've got to judge people by their actions.

"Nothing's changed - I'm still committed to the Brumbies."

White, who took over at the Brumbies last July, said there was nothing wrong with having expressed an interest in the role and did not rule out a move in the future.

"It's something I'd look at - it doesn't mean now, it doesn't mean leaving my job," he said.

England are currently being overseen by caretaker coach Stuart Lancaster, who took over after Johnson's resignation following last year's troubled World Cup campaign in New Zealand.

Good news for the Brumbies and bad for England. What says Becs?

The ACT Brumbies may not have to search for a new coach, as Jake White, who has been linked to the England job, has told the Brumbies players he plans to stay in Canberra.

The Herald was told last night White had informed senior players following the captain's training run yesterday of his intention to remain with the Brumbies. 'He told the senior players he is staying,' a high-ranking official said last night.

The Brumbies issued a statement on Thursday explaining the World Cup-winning Springboks coach had been 'sounded out' for the England coaching job.

Brumbies chief executive Andrew Fagan said he was 'naturally disappointed with the disruption' caused by the speculation.

The Herald was told by sources in England White had been involved in two interviews in recent days with Rugby Football Union officials - one conducted via Skype.

It is known White's link with the England team upset numerous Brumbies players, and he will have to work hard to regain their confidence this season. Nick Mallett is the favourite to coach England.

Last night White tweeted: '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.'

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/white-ready-to-brush-england-to-stay-with-brumbies-20120309-1upnp.html#ixzz1odJviEQc 

first he's interested, then he's committed to the Brumbies, then he's interested again....blah blah. White is blowing what little credibility he has left.

Well, I haven't read anything that can quote that Jake said he was going to take the job; only that he said he was approach by England.