IT’S cold in Canberra this time of the year, but the temperature will drop a few extra degrees when the Sharks arrive to play against the Brumbies in a crunch top-of-the-table Super Rugby encounter on Saturday.
The reason is the presence of Sharks coach Jake White, who is not expecting the warmest welcome when his high-riding charges face-off against the Aussie pace-setters.
White, who coached the Brumbies for two seasons between 2012-2013 and took them from 11th on the standings in 2011 to finalists in less than two years, left suddenly after last year’s final defeat to the Chiefs.
White became disillusioned with his international prospects when the Wallaby coaching job went to Ewen McKenzie and he believed staying in Australia would not enhance his chances of returning to coach at Test level.
His sudden departure and subsequent appointment at the Sharks left the Brumbies organisation reeling and fans angry. He will now have to face them, and most of the players, for the first time since then.
“I’m not expecting a warm welcome because it’s freezing in Canberra,” White said, with his tongue firmly in cheek.
“The feedback I’ve received is that a lot of people were disappointed that I left, but I see that as a compliment. If you’ve added value then people want you around and the reason they were unhappy I left is that I must have done something right and they wanted me to stay.
“Australian Rugby Union chief executive Bill Pulver told me when I left that, ‘it’s not often Aussie sport people actually want to see the coach stay’, so I take that as a compliment.”
The Brumbies, under co-coaches Laurie Fisher and Stephen Larkham, have continued where White left off by maintaining the same high standards.
The Brumbies are top of the Australian conference and second on the overall standings behind the Sharks.
“It’s first versus second on the log in round 13 this weekend,” said White. “I’ve had something to do with both clubs in the last year, so it’s a fantastic boost for me to know I’ve had an input.
“I get on well with Laurie and Bernie and I’ll go to their change- room after the game and have a beer with all the coaches and players.
“I didn’t have time to say goodbye to most of them because of circumstances and it would be nice to see them again and have a few words.
“There is also extra motivation for me and for the entire team to win this match. My situation is obvious but the Sharks were beaten by the Brumbies at home last year and many of my players want to put that right.”
White suggested that Frans Steyn would continue at flyhalf while centre-wing Sibusiso Sithole is set to make a return after missing last week’s 22-16 win over the Rebels in Melbourne due to a hamstring strain.
“We have to make do with the flyhalf situation because ideally we’d like Pat Lambie there,” said White. “But Frans is doing a fantastic job for us and long may it continue.”
White to face former paymasters
The reason is the presence of Sharks coach Jake White, who is not expecting the warmest welcome when his high-riding charges face-off against the Aussie pace-setters.
White, who coached the Brumbies for two seasons between 2012-2013 and took them from 11th on the standings in 2011 to finalists in less than two years, left suddenly after last year’s final defeat to the Chiefs.
White became disillusioned with his international prospects when the Wallaby coaching job went to Ewen McKenzie and he believed staying in Australia would not enhance his chances of returning to coach at Test level.
His sudden departure and subsequent appointment at the Sharks left the Brumbies organisation reeling and fans angry. He will now have to face them, and most of the players, for the first time since then.
“I’m not expecting a warm welcome because it’s freezing in Canberra,” White said, with his tongue firmly in cheek.
“The feedback I’ve received is that a lot of people were disappointed that I left, but I see that as a compliment. If you’ve added value then people want you around and the reason they were unhappy I left is that I must have done something right and they wanted me to stay.
“Australian Rugby Union chief executive Bill Pulver told me when I left that, ‘it’s not often Aussie sport people actually want to see the coach stay’, so I take that as a compliment.”
The Brumbies, under co-coaches Laurie Fisher and Stephen Larkham, have continued where White left off by maintaining the same high standards.
The Brumbies are top of the Australian conference and second on the overall standings behind the Sharks.
“It’s first versus second on the log in round 13 this weekend,” said White. “I’ve had something to do with both clubs in the last year, so it’s a fantastic boost for me to know I’ve had an input.
“I get on well with Laurie and Bernie and I’ll go to their change- room after the game and have a beer with all the coaches and players.
“I didn’t have time to say goodbye to most of them because of circumstances and it would be nice to see them again and have a few words.
“There is also extra motivation for me and for the entire team to win this match. My situation is obvious but the Sharks were beaten by the Brumbies at home last year and many of my players want to put that right.”
White suggested that Frans Steyn would continue at flyhalf while centre-wing Sibusiso Sithole is set to make a return after missing last week’s 22-16 win over the Rebels in Melbourne due to a hamstring strain.
“We have to make do with the flyhalf situation because ideally we’d like Pat Lambie there,” said White. “But Frans is doing a fantastic job for us and long may it continue.”
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