Jake rules out England job
2012-03-09 10:41
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Jake White (File)
Canberra - Rugby World Cup-winning coach Jake White says he won't be applying to fill the England head coaching vacancy and plans to remain with Super Rugby's Brumbies.
White, who led South Africa to the 2007 Rugby World Cup title, said he was disappointed by criticism in the media that he was prepared to leave Canberra in the first year of a four-year contract.
"It's something I'd look at - it doesn't mean now, it doesn't mean leaving my job," White said.
Asked directly if he was still interested in taking the job being filled on an interim basis by Stuart Lancaster, the South African responded: "No, no, no, no."
"I'm here for four years with the Brumbies. I've signed on the bottom line and you've got to judge people by their actions. Nothing's changed, I'm still committed to the Brumbies."
Former South Africa and Italy coach Nick Mallett and former Ireland and US coach Eddie O'Sullivan are considered to be the favorites for the England job, along with Lancaster.
The English Rugby Football Union's wish for someone with topflight experience could count against Lancaster, who has been in charge for the first three Six Nations Tests. England has a 2-1 record.
Martin Johnson, who was captain when England won the World Cup in 2003, quit as coach in November, six weeks before his contract was due to expire.
It followed England's disappointing World Cup in New Zealand - along with some off-field indiscretions -where the team was eliminated by France in the quarterfinals, its worst performance in the tournament since 1999. my job."