White not keen on England
FORMER South Africa head coach Jake White is the latest high-profile candidate to have distanced himself from succeeding Martin Johnson as England manager.
Johnson resigned earlier this month following England’s catastrophic World Cup campaign which ended in abject defeat to France in the quarter-finals and was undermined by off-field controversies.
White, who masterminded South Africa’s World Cup victory back in 2007, admits the prospect of a return to international rugby is an intriguing one, but at present his focus remains on his commitments with Super 15 side the Brumbies.
“It would be wonderful to be back on the world stage, but I’ve committed myself to [the Brumbies],” said White, 48. “It’s something I’d like to aspire to again. But this moment in time I’m enjoying the fact I’ve got a new challenge.”
Embattled Rugby Football Union chief Rob Andrew, still reeling from the Twickileaks scandal that led him to claim the sport in England was at “rock bottom”, has already seen former Italy coach Nick Mallett, New Zealand’s World Cup winning coach Graham Henry and Sir Clive Woodward reject the role.