Jake White won't let up
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:49
World Cup-winning coach Jake White is determined to have an involvement with the Springboks once again, despite his list of grievances with the South African Rugby Union (SARU) last year.
Even after the Springboks' ever-convincing 53-8 Tri-Nations victory over Australia last weekend, White has increased calls for him to be appointed in a new-look role as director of rugby within SARU.
White stepped down from the Springbok coaching seat shortly after their World Cup successes last year, and then released his autobiography which revealed a host of grievances he had with SARU during his tenure as head coach.
All that seems a thing of the past now, as White is adamant to return to the fold, in a role which would support the Bok coaching staff - which is headed by the irrepressible Peter de Villiers.
De Villiers on the other hand is currently set for a routine post-Tri-Nations debrief with the SARU bosses.
"As you are now aware I am promoting the idea of a 'Director of Rugby' in order to facilitate an easier succession and assist the coaching staff," White wrote on his blogspot page.
"This is not meant to be in competition or as boss of the current coaching staff but rather as a sounding board to the coaches.
"That is why I was at pains to point out that this would add value without usurping the role, functions or decision-making powers of the coaching staff.
"Just as I needed Eddie Jones' experience to bring home the 2007 World Cup, so too can Peter de Villiers and the coaches benefit from mine.
"The common goal is after all to make the Springboks the number one team in World rugby."
The prospect of White having a future role with SA rugby seemed unlikely on the release of his controversial book late last year - as SARU president Oregan Hoskins initially quashed the proposal last week, stating that a 'directors' role didn't exist within the national setup.
However, Hoskins seemed to have softened his stance soon after, saying that SA rugby personnel would debate the merits of the said position.
White described the Springboks' record victory in Johannesburg as an "outstanding achievement", saying it highlighted just what a talented group of players the current squad possesses.
White said it was important that the hard work did not end with the record win over the Wallabies, and that South Africa needed to work on its consistency.
"The next step is to build on that victory which means that right now we have to look back and see why the team did not perform as it can on a regular basis," White wrote.
"We need to sort out the problems that are holding us back and result in us underachieving. One result will not provide the answer to those questions.
"We need to establish the things that are holding us back and why they are occasioning defeats on one Saturday and victory on the next.
"We have to be consistent and that comes from identifying where these problems are. There is a world of difference between losing and being beaten," White added.
