Brumbies give White the nod

[GIGS20]

''I'm not going to make any soft decisions for this group. I'm not going to change my behaviour at all."

Aren't they contradictory statements

''I'm not going to make any decisions for this group. I'm not going to change my behaviour at all."

Ahhh, that's better

Maybe in his mind, he HAS been making the hard decisions.....and Gits has been helping. let's face it, it would have to be a hard call to keep Matt Gitea at ten when there are at least two players in the club who can do it better than him and the team's still losing everything in sight......that takes balls!

[Sheikh]

White could be exactly what the Brumbies need - I've always liked him as a coach - well, maybe 'respected' is a better word!

He'll have to adjust his tactics a bit, as the interpretations have changed since 2007; but the way he prepared his teams I don't think that'll be a problem for him. What's he been doing since 2007?

[James]

I don't think White will last long in Canberra. His 'style' on two fronts seems at odds with the Brumbies style.

Firstly, he is a guy who didn't want to play a scavenger backrower in all the time he coached the Boks. That was a rather arrogant oversight considering the effectiveness of Brussouw when he came into the side with PdV. Hoiles is effectively a second 7 and where does that leave guys like Michael Hooper, Colby Faingaa or Julian Salvi? But ignoring that, it was clear that he only dances to the beat of his own drum. How will that fit in with the Brumbies' 'team coaching'. Will he accept former player coaches like Harrison or Larkham as his own coaches? Larkham seems to have a lot of political power in the Brumbies and White won't want to piss him off.

Secondly, the Brumbies supposedly are the kings of attacking rugby. Will White be able to keep the fans happy with an attacking style? Now lets be fair all the fans really want is a win, but will the White approach to rugby go down that well with everyone? You can paint black and white stripes on a dog but that doesn't make it a zebra.

[Burgs]

Maybe in his mind, he HAS been making the hard decisions.....and Gits has been helping. let's face it, it would have to be a hard call to keep Matt Gitea at ten when there are at least two players in the club who can do it better than him and the team's still losing everything in sight......that takes balls!

Maybe the hard decision he made is "OK, I'll put up with idiots this year to get the job because I know they are leaving anyway. Then the rest will be mine, all mine (insert evil laughter...)"

[zimeric]

I dont think he does "dance to the beat of his own drum" that may be the perception but what he actually does is Lead.. he gets the best out of people around him and if they dont give their best they are replaced. look at the 2007 RWC he got in Jones to help and he laso had a large number of sports science specialists helping the boks get the best out of their bodies in the lead up..

what he doesnt do is get dictated to by a committee

[AndyS]

I don't think White will last long in Canberra. His 'style' on two fronts seems at odds with the Brumbies style.

Maybe why he got them to sign a four year contract. The pay-out on that would have to soothe the sting of rejection....

[James]

They gave him a four year contract? Are they mental?

Is White actually that good a coach? Really?

[Hansie]

I can see it...Jake White = head coach....Eddie Jones = Assistant coach....

[mudskipper]

I don't think White will last long in Canberra. His 'style' on two fronts seems at odds with the Brumbies style.

Firstly, he is a guy who didn't want to play a scavenger backrower in all the time he coached the Boks. That was a rather arrogant oversight considering the effectiveness of Brussouw when he came into the side with PdV. Hoiles is effectively a second 7 and where does that leave guys like Michael Hooper, Colby Faingaa or Julian Salvi? But ignoring that, it was clear that he only dances to the beat of his own drum. How will that fit in with the Brumbies' 'team coaching'. Will he accept former player coaches like Harrison or Larkham as his own coaches? Larkham seems to have a lot of political power in the Brumbies and White won't want to piss him off.

Secondly, the Brumbies supposedly are the kings of attacking rugby. Will White be able to keep the fans happy with an attacking style? Now lets be fair all the fans really want is a win, but will the White approach to rugby go down that well with everyone? You can paint black and white stripes on a dog but that doesn't make it a zebra.

Jake White has enough poise to stay focussed for 4 years. He and his family will have Aussie residency by then. He won’t have a problem in Canberra.

Has for the current signed player group, he’ll have to work with who are signed, motivate them and he can recruit whom he wants. Moreover he’ll have a good size budget to get quality players… As for Larkham, he has the respect of the Brumbies community due to his great success, I’m sure White will find him an asset to motivate the team. Additionally Steve Larkham has the opportunity to work as an assistant coach under one of the great rugby coaches. A full set of South African assistant coaches will be unlikely, some perhaps, which is fine.

Good to see the brumbies can attract such a high profile world rugby coach such as White. His signing up for the Head Coach job in Canberra for 4 years is great news for the Brumbies… And they know it… and a lot of work to be done... Go the Brumby Republic...

[GIGS20]

I dont think he does "dance to the beat of his own drum" that may be the perception but what he actually does is Lead..

the difference between those two is a matter of perception Zim.

I don't know White well enough to fall either side of the fence, but can see a lot of circular arguments forming over that point!

[AndyS]

As for Larkham, he has the respect of the Brumbies community due to his great success, I’m sure White will find him an asset to motivate the team. Additionally Steve Larkham has the opportunity to work as an assistant coach under one of the great rugby coaches.

All possibly true, but I think James' point was; what if White doesn't want him as an assistant coach or motivator?

[James]

Exactly, thanks Andy.

I suppose there is no point in speculating too much, and I hope it doesn't eventuate in this way, but I still think this will blow up in the Brumbies' faces

[GIGS20]

Like Andy Friend didn't blow up in their faces?

At least this is a world class coach who might not see out his contract, it's possible he might improve the team before they kick his ass out the door!

[James]

You've got to ask yourself why Andy Friend was a disaster. I don't think that the way the Friend was is that far from my perception of Jake White's personality.

I just don't think White is a good fit for the Brumbies. I reckon he will try and turn them into something they aren't. To me, much in the same way Bernard Laporte was with France- not that I think Lievremont is doing much of a better job.

[mudskipper]

Its worthwhile giving Jake White a nice 4 year head coaching job. A proven world class coach, why not. I'm sure there will be challenges but thats no reason to got welcome him to the Brumbies. He's an excellent signing.

Coach Andy Friend selected his own assistants coaches when he started, as will Jake White, Steve Larkham wasn't involved in the first 2 years of Friends appointment. Larkham just started this preseason in January, it is his first season with the Brumbies as an assistant coach.

Friends problems predate Larkham working at the Brumbies as an assistant coach. I'd be extremely surprised if Jake White didn't see value in Steve working at the Brumbies in 2012. Champion local flyhalves don't grow on trees. However he may change other assistant coaches or bring in other specialist resources. CEO Fagan has already publicly welcomed that.

Andy Friend failed to meet his full coaching duties and disengaged with the playing group, thats why he was let go... At least the Brumbies board had the guts to make the call unlike the board at the Force in regards to John Mitchell. Their reward for making an early call was they managed to get RWC coach Jake White on deck for the next 4 years... Thats good for Brumbyland.