Saru not waiting for White

2007-10-30 22:31

Johannesburg - There seems to be little sympathy at SA Rugby for World Cup winning Springbok coach Jake White's unhappiness that he was not considered for the short-list of four from which the next Springbok coach will be appointed.

White, in Tuesday's press, pointed out he had a clause in his contract with SA Rugby which states he has the right to negotiate the extension of his contract with SA Rugby once it expires at the end of the year.

His name was, however, not included in the shortlist of the four coaches who seem to have the inside lane to the job.

They are apparently present Springbok assistant coach (backs) Allister Coetzee, former Cats coach Chester Williams, national Under-21 coach Pieter de Villiers and Blue Bulls coach Heyneke Meyer, although the SA Rugby senior deputy president Mike Stofile, would not confirm or deny the names on Tuesday.

However, on White's chagrin at not being included on the shortlist, SA Rugby Union (Saru) Chief Executive Officer Johan Prinsloo on Tuesday said he did not have White's contract with him in Johannesburg, where he was attending a national indaba on the state and future of the game in the country.

"I haven't got Jake White's contract with me. The request to the committee, which was to shortlist the candidates, was to consider all the applications that had to be in by October 26. They have done that, and Jake's name was not among them," he reiterated Saru's statement of Monday.

Mike Stofile, senior deputy president of Saru, on Monday said White had known for some time that the position would be advertised and the closing date for applications was October 26.

"The winning of the World Cup had not changed that situation," said Stofile, who added he was not necessarily upset that White had disqualified himself by not applying.

He also said there could not be an extension until White had made up his mind about his decision pertaining to the South African coaching position.

White had earlier indicated he needed some time to think about his future - and according to the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) on Tuesday, the Springbok coach has shown interest via his agent in the vacant Wallabies coaching position.

According to reports on Tuesday, ARU high-performance manager Pat Howard confirmed agent Craig Livingstone contacted him on White's behalf last week but had heard nothing further. White has also been linked to the England and Wales coaching positions and has until Friday to apply for the Australian post.

- SAPA