World Cup-winning former Springbok coach has declined an offer to coach Ireland.
Sydney Morning Herald
This leaves the way clear for Reds mentor Ewen McKenzie and Leinster coach Joe Schmidt to take over from the axed Ireland mentor Declan Kidney.
White, the current Brumbies coach, confirmed that he rebuffed an approach from Ireland and says he remains focused on leading the ACT in their Super Rugby campaign.
White confirmed he had been approached by Ireland about his interest in the position, but said he’d declined and interview and informed the IRFU earlier this week that he was not available.
According to Irish and British media reports the Leinster coach, Schmidt, remains the favourite to land the job.
However, the Australian media believe the Reds boss, McKenzie, will get the job.
Reports emerged on Friday that White and McKenzie had been interviewed on Thursday for the vacant Ireland coaching job.
It came just 48 hours out from one of the biggest games of the season – a Brumbies-Reds clash in Brisbane on Saturday.
White, who coached South Africa to victory in the 2007 World Cup, even speculated that the Reds may have thrown his name into the media as a distraction for the Brumbies.
“I’m not available [for the Ireland job], I’ve made it quite clear that I’ve got a Brumbies contract and I’m here with a job to do,” White said.
“I’m happy here, I’m coaching boys in Australia and I’m enjoying that.
“I’m really not in the market for every coaching job that pops up, I’m focusing on the Brumbies and making them better and in turn making Australian rugby better which is one of my briefs as a Super 15 coach in Australia.”
It’s understood Ireland wanted to put White on a short-list for new coaching candidates, with McKenzie and Schmidt also in contention.
White turned down the overtures and informed the Brumbies of the approach to prevent any uncertainty on his commitment to the club.
McKenzie has already announced he is stepping down from his position at the end of the season to chase an international coaching job.
McKenzie and White are also considered the be the two main candidates for the Wallabies job, should the ARU opt not to renew the contract of incumbent Robbie Deans’ beyond the end of the year.
Schmidt said on Tuesday that he expected to hold discussions with the Irish Rugby Football Union about the job before the end of this week.
Les Kiss, part of the backroom team of Declan Kidney, is also expected to be interviewed for the job.
There have also been reports that Wales defensive coach Shaun Edwards could be interviewed for the Ireland job.