Jake White revelling in Aussie role

MERCIFULLY there is no hint of an accent, but that’s Jake White’s only failure as he immersed himself in 18 months of Australian culture as Brumbies head coach.

White — who took the Springboks to World Cup glory in 2007 — is revelling in his role as Super 15 coach with the Canberra-based franchise, and in his second year in charge has built an excellent and experienced team.

When he took the job in late 2011, White had not coached for four years, and the Brumbies were a shadow of the side that were the standard-bearers of Wallaby rugby in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

They now sit at the top of the Super Rugby standings and have arguably set the benchmark for how rugby should be played with their 15-man approach built on solid set pieces, superb fitness and great defence.

“I was warned by some people when I signed at the Brumbies to be aware of ‘ player power’ and the poisonous environment at the club,” a slimmer, fitterlooking White says.

“What I discovered was that the players were crying out for someone to tell them what to do, to give them structure and boundaries. The one thing I quickly worked out was that the more planned the sessions were and the more ‘ rules’ in place, the better they responded and the more they enjoyed it.

“It wasn’t difficult to make the changes but I did have to bump some heads to get it done because everyone is afraid of change. Like anything, once I proved my methods were working and once the management saw the success we had last season, they gave me more freedom.”

Although White retained backline coach Stephen Larkham, he cleared out several other members of staff. His no-nonsense approach upset some people but White, just as he did as Bok coach, made sure everyone understood who was in charge.

“One demand I made was that I would run the rugby and that meant I would decide who we signed and who we let go.

“In the past, the CEO had made those decisions. I want to work with players who suit my vision and who I believe will add value. ”

White has discovered fundamental differences between South African and Aussie players and admits he’s had to change.

“I’ve had to work out of my comfort zone. Australians challenge you and there is nothing wrong with that because it triggers debate. It also makes you look at things differently.

“If I say to an Australian player, ‘ run through that wall’, he’s going to ask me why, or how he should run through it and he will question if it’s the right decision.

“Ironically, through these differences, the things I’ve always believed to be important in rugby have been reaffirmed because they are just as important in Australian rugby.

“I’m not talking about the physical side of the game but about creating an environment where people are happy, where everything is planned and organised to ensure the players’ needs are well taken care of in every way.”