Two of South Africa’s most successful coaches – Nick Mallett and Jake White – could go head-to-head in the race for the England job.
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Despite repeated denials, the 2007 World Cup-winning Springbok mentor, White, has again been linked to the England job.
And Mallet, who took the Boks to a world record-equalling 17 successive wins – including the 1998 Tri-Nations title – has already indicated he is interested in the job.
It is believed both are on the short-list to take over from Stuart Lancaster – the stand-in head coach of England’s national team – ahead of the mid-year tour to South Africa in June.
White, currently coaching the Brumbies, said this week that he will complete this Super Rugby season in Canberra.
According to the Canberra Times sources close to the Brumbies claimed White had already been offered the England coaching job ahead of Mallett.
It’s understood the resources afforded him by England, host of the 2015 World Cup, would be too good to refuse.
The Canberra Times also claimed ACT Rugby Union chairman Sean Hammond and Brumbies Chief Executive Andrew Fagan met with White this week morning to address ongoing speculation linking him to England.
It’s believed White gave an assurance he would at least see out the 2012 Super Rugby season.
White provided that same guarantee when questioned by the Canberra Times, but he would not hose down speculation he’d be coaching at the 2015 World Cup.
“I can never rule that out, let’s be honest,” said White.
“The reality is who knows where I’m going to be in ‘X’ amount of time.
“Some coaches have got deals that last the whole deal, some coaches get fired halfway through their deal. It’s such a volatile job . . . all I’m doing now is controlling what I can control and that is this [Super Rugby] campaign [with the Brumbies].
“The bottom line is I’m very focused on making sure this is a successful season for the Brumbies.”
White is Canberra’s third coach in 12 months after the Brumbies last year sacked head coach Andy Friend just two games into the season, replacing him with assistant Tony Rea.
White guaranteed he would not leave Canberra in the lurch mid-season.
“They had a distraction last year and the last thing they need now is another distraction,” White said.
White confirmed he had been “sounded out for the England job many, many times” in the past, adding he had not applied for the current vacancy.
The Telegraph in England reported White was on the short-list to be interviewed over the next fortnight.
White fills the criteria of the heavyweight coach England are trying to find as a replacement for Martin Johnson.
“When there’s six World Cup-winning coaches that are alive . . . and I’m the only guy actively involved in rugby, chances are that speculation will always be there,” White said.
“But as I’ve said many, many times, I’m in Canberra, I’m focusing on the Brumbies and I really don’t need distractions, the players don’t need distractions. All I can do is focus on what I’m doing here. Every time there’s a speculative story, I can’t comment on it.”
Fagan refused to talk about their meeting with White or potential ramifications on the Brumbies.
“There’s been speculation that’s linked Jake with several coaching jobs around the world, that’s what you get when you’ve won a World Cup. I expect there’ll always be speculation associated with Jake,” Fagan said.
“Our focus is on the 2012 season and not dealing with ongoing speculation.”