I hate to be the one to pour cold water on all the jubilant speculation doing the rounds this morning, but I feel I need to add my voice to the clamour. For those who’ve not yet picked up on the story, several major newspapers are running “Jake White to Coach Sharks?” and not all of them are using the question mark either.
The only confirmed fact that we have so far is that Jake White has been released from the final two years of his coaching gig at the Brumbies. Various sources have intimated that Jake asked to be released early after he couldn’t reconcile his disappointment over not getting the Australian national coaching post, despite being asked to apply. That, as far as I can tell, is really just speculation and since White himself hasn’t actually gone on the record about any of this, we simply don’t know what his motivation is at this stage.
It didn’t take long before the speculation-fueled media machine went into frenzy – the thinking being that “if Jake White is looking for a coaching job, then surely every South African franchise that exists must be falling over themselves to offer him a Director of Rugby position, regardless of whether somebody else currently fulfills that role for them.” He was immediately linked to both the Stormers and the Sharks, before WP quickly acted to deny that there was any interest from their side. That’s when the “Jake White will be Sharks Director of Rugby” stories started to appear.
Let’s be quite frank, though. Not a single one of those stories has any verifiable source – or even so much as a quote from anyone at the Sharks suggesting that Jake White has been appointed as so much as a tea lady. My reading of the situation is that the Sharks were just as surprised by White’s resignation yesterday as the Brumbies were.
All that we have to go on here is an expression of interest from Sharks CEO John Smit. Here’s what Smit sent me this morning:
“Bud, been inundated with calls about Jake, so let me just say that we have a definite plan for the Sharks. Could Jake White add value to our plans if available? Without doubt he could – he has an amazing track record and ability and we would welcome the opportunity to speak to him if it should arise.”
Now, that doesn’t sound to me like a confirmation that he’s the new Sharks coach, but according to Smit, the door is very much ajar should Jake be willing and able to play a role.
Tweet
Thank you Rob 😎
Good to read that the door is open…
well i would not mind him at the sharks will wait and see what on folds
Good stuff Rob.
That seems to me like a fence sitter answer 😛
Why would he say this? and not just say we not talking to him?
I just love the open communication channels that exists with the Sharks now.
@sharks4eve2013 (Comment 3) : Look obviously I would love to have him on our side, but hell even if he is kwaste coach it’s good for SA rugby!!!
@sharks4eve2013 (Comment 3) : My biggest worry is that he packs-up the same way he did with the Brumbies as soon as a international job appears. That said, if he did join that would set him up nicely to take over from HM in two years time.
@R Hayward (Comment 7) : agree aslong it’s not the bulle i’m happy kwaste needs a good coach now really feel for them after human said his leaving
I’ve even heard rumours of Clermont being coached by JW.
@Uli (Comment 8) : that’s also true then just give him a two year deal with the option to extend if wanted just hope him and venter gets along
@Ollie (Comment 10) : wow, there’s a face I haven’t seen in ages. How you doing?
I love a good rumour. This one doesn’t make a lot of sense, at least not the way some in the media are reporting it, but there is seemingly some possibility of involvement.
I don’t know enough about the role of a Director of Rugby v the role of a Director of Coaching, but I would assume that the Coaching Structures would fall under Dr Venter’s current ambit – leaving no need to have someone (expensive) on the payroll.
I think Venter brings something more revolutionary to the table than White would – something more holistic (I hate the word, but it works) than just coaching, which Jake excels at. So I’d be disappointed if the Sharks parted ways with him so early into his project, to bring in White – because I can’t see the two working together.
Unless Venter’s finding it difficult being everywhere at once and we need someone to be more hands-on with Venter consulting as he does with Saracens?
Thanks Rob! Your a star! Shot back from the field to check the site!This new openess from the Sharks is unbelievable, totally strange after years of secrecy!! Well lets see what happens!
@MerckZ (Comment 13) : I just want to know, was it not said when Plum got the boot that the Sharks were still looking for their S15 coach even after appointing our CC coaches?
@Caratacus (Comment 14) : Openness? All I see are some very carefully typed wording from the CEO not to have another blowout like what happened to Plum.
All I am saying is why not similar to the WP statement “we have not had any talks or negotiations with Jake White.”
That would have settled it.
@Uli (Comment 15) :and the other thing went to read the story on sharks website got to an article were they spoke to mcloud henderson and said forward coach and not head coach just throwing the cat out there
@MerckZ (Comment 13) : @Uli (Comment 15) : Yes, also see jake fitting in at SR level. Things seems to be going real good at CC level now! I am a excited fan these days!!! Thanks to GREAT decisions being made at top level!
@Uli (Comment 15) : I remember the rumours saying so, but I don’t know if that’s all they were. I got the impression after their respective appointments, that the Sharks had found their final, complete coaching team.
@MerckZ (Comment 13) : Great comment, I agree fully!
@Pokkel (Comment 20) : yeah, I think MerckZ is pretty much spot on with this.
Jake White cant come to the Sharks. How is John Smit meant to be CEO, Coach and Captain if Jake is there getting in the way. I can only see Smit speaking to Jake if Venter has said that he actually prefers the UK to SA and therefore wont be around much.
Geez, sport24 really twisted that statement around claiming it as confirmation that he’s joining the Sharks. 🙄 😯
@Pokkel (Comment 23) : mate, that anybody actually believes a word of what appears on that rag of a site….
Read carefully. It aint gonna happen. Not sure if JW and BV
would work well together.
Nice talking point though.
I dont think it will happen and probably for the best. Jake Whites game plan and structures are to conservative for Sharks Rugby, or for what Sharks Rugby want’s to be…
It does bother me when people say that Venter and White couldn’t work together though, based on what? Speculation. Don’t sell them short .In a professional era even Smit and Watson could work together if the right incentives and motivations were in place. Should Jake join the Sharks thats what would happen.
I seriously doubt the Kwas can afford him but somehow I think Jake would suit them as team perfectly.
@robdylan (Comment 24) : Who cares? I go to x24 for the comments sections. It provides excellent entertainment during the day.
Thanks for the clarification, guys! It certainly would be great to have White for Super Rugby Coach. I’m glad Smit has left the door open for discussion at least!
@[email protected] (Comment 29) : donkt think it will happen unless for some reason Venter is leaving.
I can only see Jake assisting in a consultancy role. Where on earth would he fit into the Sharks permanent setup? JS, BV, BMH & SE. Don’t forget we got Paul Anthony joining the Sharks next year too!
I wouldn’t want Jake to replace any of the guys we’ve got. As far as I know, John and Brendan are exceptional judges of character and they’ve chosen guys like Brad, Sean and Paul more for the value their personalities bring to the culture of the Sharks than their CV.
Who is Paul Anthony again?
@MerckZ (Comment 13) : Nice one! Yeah I agree with you. Something special is brewing at the Sharks that is far more than simply coaching.
@Talent (Comment 26) : I wouldn’t think they’d butt heads – even though they’re two big personalities – but it’s more to do with having two conflicting visions of how they’d run the “franchise”. You wouldn’t get a fully effective Jake White-style team if he’s forced to sing from Brendan Venter’s hymn sheet (and vice versa), so why bring him in?
If the two could find a way to dovetail, it would be a hell of a setup; but that would take a masterstroke from John Smit, with clearly defined duties for the pair, with one buying into the idea of being subordinate to the other.
@Son Of Mayhem (Comment 32) : He’s currently the Blue Bulls u19 coach and is joining the Sharks after the season ends. He was also John Smit’s coach at school. I’ve only ever heard good things about this guy.
@Gregkaos, Oh yeah! I remember, thanks.
I think JW wants an international job. That is the only reason he went to the Brumbies. Clearly that did not work out, so why would he stay at the Brumbies? He will only coach at national level, if it could lead to something bigger. I don’t think that will ever happen in SA again (he stepped on too many toes and still does). Watch carefully the news for new departures in Europe…
@sharks4eve2013 (Comment 17) : Brad is currently the forward coach as far as I’m aware, but at the start of the season Brendan did state that he wants Brad to develop into the head coach role as he(BV) takes a less hands on approach and focuses more on the culture of the team.
@gregkaos (Comment 38) : thanx for clearing it up makes sense now , was out of touch for a while been hectic these couple of mouths
@gregkaos (Comment 38) : Fact, Sharks do not have a Super15 head coach. Do you think what Brendon is doing is sustainable? Besides, Brendon said he wants to take a step back next season.
You know who’s looking for a DOR? Kings 😈
@klempie (Comment 28) : Hehehe. Reading those comments is like wallowing through the very shallow end of the gene pool. 😆
This is what Sport24 has taken from the statement issued by John Smit:
“The Sharks have issued a press release all but confirming former Brumbies coach Jake White’s appointment.”
🙄 🙄 🙄
@rhineshark (Comment 43) : There’s no medicine for stupid!
@rhineshark (Comment 43) : Oh jeez… I think I’m going to insist to the guys at work that we start our Thursday eve drinks early. Perhaps 4 hours early!
They’re talking like he is already in the Sharks setup, talking him up on how he’s taking the SHarks to SR glory, then criticising the Sharks for having “Too many cooks in the kitchen”. Surviving this day with my palm firmly placed on my forehead is not going to be fun.
Oh and I don’t think anyone can describe those comments better than you Rhineshark! 😆
“Could Jake White add value to our plans if available? Without doubt he could”
So is Jake available? it seems so thus Id say the chances are good that we will see him popping up at the Sharks in some form or the other. The sharks ball seems to be in his court.
Thanks Rob was getting excited here,could have ment that the Sharks could win a super rugby trophy for a change…hehehe Sharks 4 life 😀
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 46) : I disagree. Smit’s comment seems to suggest that the door is open but neither party has approached the other. If Jake quit his successful Brumbies post, it would in all likelihood have only been after securing a post somewhere else.
Jake Resigned already if im not mistaken
@Pokkel (Comment 30) : speculating here but could Venter have asked for an out as he is struggling to juggle his UK commitments, Cape town DR practice and sharks?
@klempie (Comment 48) : Yup, he’s probably sorted somewhere else already but not allowed to announce yet.
“The Cape Times understands White has applied for the job at Maties” What will Jake be linked with next? Proteas?
@klempie (Comment 48) : Exactly, as I said, the ball is in his (Whites) court.
Anyway, this being JW, I wouldnt be surprised if it was not him that planted the seed of this with saga with the press…..just to see what grows out of it of course.
Every man and his brown hyena seems to have a comment or statement on where JW is going, and yet the man himself remains schtum.
Well I for one will not be too surprised to read about Jake White joining the Sharks in some role in the not too distant future. If John Smit had no plans for Jake to be used at the Sharks he would simply have said so.
Jake mentioned he is available for the Sharks job during the tea break in his meeting with WP while mentioning he really respects the rugby culture in Toulon and that he could still make England world champions in 2015.
@Morné (Comment 57) : 😆
@Morné (Comment 57) : have a look…
http://www.sharksworld.co.za/2012/03/09/interested-in-everything-committed-to-nothing/
Or perhaps JW will take over the juniors when Mr Anthony gets promoted to the 1st team’s duties, remember thats where he met people such as John, Victor etc and formed a formidable junior bok squad…just a thought though
@Eli (Comment 60) : LOL 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 59) : Ah ha!
If memory serves me correct was jw a sharks u19 coach at some point?
I saw an advert for a sportswriter for news24 a while ago … requirements were … be able to read afrikaans and translate articles from afrikaans newspapers into English for publication. Lots of research goes into their publications … im sure its all truth
@byron (Comment 63) : no…. he was assistant coach to Hugh Reece-Edwards in 2000. The year we came last.
He’s never had a junior coaching role at the Sharks.
Jake White Shark has a certain ring to it
I`m holding thumbs that he becomes the most ” hands on ” director of rugby for us ever!
IT S A CELEBRATION !
Do not want!
Quiz question heard on national radio this morning.
Jake White has been appointed as director of rugby of which union?
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 69) : Griquas? 🙂 Come on Jake! They’re in dire need of .. well just about everything in the coaching department.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 69) : I believe the correct answer is: every union
Why would Jake leave the Brumbies and join the Sharks, when he’s clearly been put on earth to lead international teams to wc success 😈
He should send his cv to Scotland, they are masters at playing JW conservative rugby, they now just need to learn how to win doing so.
@gregkaos (Comment 70) : @vanmartin (Comment 71) : true both of you, but the answer given was THE SHARKS.
The Bulls has a vacancy at DOR and Jake White is on record as being a Bulls fan.
The Brumbies played Bulls style rugby under him.
Good match all round.
His best shop at SR honours also.
And be perfectly positioned to take over the Bok job when it becomes available again.
@fyndraai (Comment 74) : you’re amusing