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Jake's legacy goes online
23/07/2008 14:45 - (SA)
Johannesburg - World Cup winning Springbok coach Jake White says he would rather be remembered as a rugby man than as a coach - and he has taken the first step in leaving a legacy that could have a huge impact on rugby in South Africa.
In conjunction with Richmark Holdings (Pty) Limited, of which he is the Marketing Director, the official launching of the Jake White blog and Youtube Channel was announced on Wednesday.
With Youtube being the leading online video community in the world, the blog and channel have as its aim the furthering of White's achievements.
More importantly, White feels it can be of benefit to the rugby community at large, in South Africa and overseas.
"The venture will give me the opportunity to stay in rugby and share some views," he said at the launch.
"I can, for example, assist with coaching at all levels by sending out drills. Take the top 100 schools in South Africa, for example. I will be able to receive and send on their videos and highlight moves or mistakes in those videos.
'Share my thoughts'
"I will be able to add to the game generally and give back to rugby by showing highlights, giving feedback and adding value to the people and coaches in South Africa -and elsewhere - in terms of rugby.
"The biggest thing, I think, is the opportunity to share my thoughts and those of others with coaches."
White says he has come to realise that he won't be able to keep everyone happy. "I encourage opinions. That way, I can at least comment," he said.
"I want this thing to be a positive about rugby. There are too many negative things in the game in South Africa.
"This can become massive. Rugby is a global game, and the whole world wants to know what's happening."
Performances
On the current Tri-Nations series, White said that the Springboks should have an excellent chance to win the competition this year. "We've won one overseas, and also have a nucleus of players where all the forwards have played 50 matches or more or are closing in on their half-centuries."
He would not comment on the Boks' performances to date other than to say that he would never have left out Percy Montgomery for the Test against Australia last weekend.
"Even if he is not regarded as the best, his input, just having him around in the change room, is a massive plus."
White said that the future of rugby in South Africa looked sound with virtually all the active World Cup winners still young enough to play in the 2011 World Cup. "That is a huge plus," he feels.
- SAPA
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