White hints at interest in England post
Jake White
Jake White, the mastermind of South Africa’s 2007 World Cup triumph, today effectively threw his hat into the ring to become the next England coach.
Speaking publicly for the first time on the possibility of succeeding Martin Johnson, he stressed his commitment to the four-year contract he has signed with Australian Super 15 franchise the Brumbies.
But the message that he would welcome an approach from the Rugby Football Union sounded loud and clear as he used a radio interview to underline his credentials for the position.
The RFU will soon step up their search for a replacement to Johnson, who resigned 11 days ago in response to a dismal World Cup campaign.
White is one of the leading candidates and the 48-year-old South African has left little doubt over his interest in the post.
“During the World Cup there were times when I thought it would be wonderful to be back on this stage,” White told BBC Radio 5 live’s Sportsweek programme.
“I’m sure that if an opportunity came about, it’s something I’d like to do again.
“I don’t know how I’d react if I was called (by the RFU), one never knows until you are in that situation.
“All coaches want to test themselves against the best and when you’ve won one World Cup, you’d like to win a second.
“It would be a fantastic achievement to become the first coach to win two World Cups. It would be a dream come true.
“I’m young enough and there’s a long time ahead in my career.
“England have to get a winner, someone who’s been there and done it, someone who understands what it takes to win something special.
“They must get back to where they were when they were the dominant force in rugby.
“They do that by getting someone who the players respect for having been there and done it.
“England are a sleeping giant. Whoever gets that job right can have a very successful time with a very powerful rugby nation.”
Former Lions prop Fran Cotton believes another former South Africa coach, Nick Mallett, is the outstanding candidate for the role.
Cotton, a long-term member of the Rugby Football Union, would like to see Mallett form a coaching team alongside Jim Mallinder and Dorian West.
“Nick has the strength of personality to do the job,” said Cotton.
“But if we do appoint an overseas guy, then we also need to develop some of our own alongside him.
“To me the perfect triumvirate would be Mallett working together with Jim Mallinder and Dorian West.
“The aim would be for Mallinder and West to take over after the 2015 World Cup.”
