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Saru slams back door on White
08/11/2007 22:04 - (SA)
Hennie Brandt, Beeld
Johannesburg - Dick Muir's chances of becoming the next Springbok rugby coach this year are nil, while Jake White was on Thursday unanimously given the go-ahead to accompany the Boks as coach for the last time for their games against Wales and the Barbarians.
Muir, who had indicated his interest in succeeding White as the Bok coach, had his dream shattered following a marathon meeting of the presidents' council of SA Rugby at OR Tambo Airport, when it was decided that he could not be considered for the position as he had indicated his interest only after the deadline had passed.
Heyneke Meyer, Peter de Villiers, Allister Coetzee and Chester Williams are the four candidates who applied in time for the Bok coaching position.
South African Rugby Union (Saru) president Oregan Hoskins said after the meeting of nearly eight hours that the possible consideration of Muir's application was discussed, but it was decided against, as the deadline had passed. If it had been allowed, White could also have applied to retain his position.
"Final interviews will be held with the shortlisted candidates on December 3rd and 4th, after which a special meeting of the presidents' council will approve the appointment of the national coach," Hoskins said.
Rumours have been spreading
In the past few days rumours have been spreading that SA Rugby will not send White to Wales and London with the Boks.
Hoskins said that delegates at the meeting agreed that White should be allowed to accompany the Boks to Wales and London before finally stepping down as Springbok coach.
One of the people who did not want White on the tour was Saru's deputy president, Mike Stofile.
At Thursday's meeting a motion was also passed to suspend the presidents' council's decision in August that any Springboks who had signed contracts with overseas clubs would not be considered for the Bok team after the World Cup tournament in France.
"That earlier decision has now been suspended pending negotiations with all the stakeholders, such as sponsors and other key figures who can assist us in this regard," said Hoskins.
"We must meet with the South African Players Association (Sarpa) next week at the latest to finalise this matter once and for all."
Attacked Jake White
Sarpa was supposed to have attended Thursday's meeting but Sarpa chair Hennie le Roux said it would have served no purpose. "Our legal advisors said it's not about suspending the decision. The presidents' council's decision must be completely rescinded before we'll talk to them about this issue again," he said.
Before the start of the meeting the Boks' team manager, Zola Yeye, was given an opportunity to give his summary of the Boks' World Cup campaign. Many of the delegates said Yeye used the opportunity to attack White personally.
However, Yeye has denied this, saying he had not undermined White at all and had only given his sincere opinion about the Boks' efforts to lift the sought-after Webb Ellis cup.
- Beeld
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