Re: Jake White quits
- From: "Mark (newsgroups)" <marknewsgroups@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 31 Oct 2007 12:45:24 +0000
ruggeryoda wrote:
http://tinyurl.com/2mopze
Well, no real suprise there...
The interesting part though are the new candidates - in a normal
country you would think with Heyneke Meyer, S14 champion coach in
there it would be a no brainer. Arf. Alas, this is Sef Efrika we'er
talking about.
<quote>
Jake White on Wednesday ended all speculation about his Springbok
coaching future.
Here is his press release in full:
Respect, honesty and dignity are among the values of the Springbok
squad over the last four years. Given recent press statements
indicating why I was not considered for the national coaching role
next year I felt obliged to clarify a few points, so as to ensure the
Springboks' incredible success at the World Cup is not tarnished with
misinformation or inaccuracy regarding my situation.
The match against the Barbarians at Twickenham will be my last one as
Springbok coach and I want to publicly thank the 72 players I have
been privileged to be associated with in the last four years. The
selectors and I capped 28 new Springboks in 53 Tests and to award a
new player his Bok cap is among any Bok coach's career highlights.
I've also had a wonderful support team within the management, most of
who started with me four years ago and finished with a World Cup
winners medal. I will thank them personally for their contribution
when the team gets together and my hope is the decision-makers in
South African rugby realize how talented these individuals are and
look after them in a way befitting of the sacrifice they have made for
South African rugby.
Personally, I am extremely disappointed at the manner in which the
message of my supposed unavailability was conveyed to the public on
Monday in a South African Rugby Union media release that stated I
would not be considered for the job on the basis that I did not apply.
My contract as Springbok coach is clear that I was not obliged to
apply and that all considerations would be discussed at my annual
review. I did ask for time to consider my options as I was mindful of
making a wrong decision based on emotion. This time was not afforded
me and that is particularly disappointing.
The purpose of this statement is to put on record my passion for rugby
in this country and for the Springboks. Hopefully it will also put an
end to all the speculation regarding my perceived motives to stay or go.
For the record: It was the greatest honour to coach the Boks and no
one can ever take away the memory of those four years. When I got the
job I promised to instill and promote those values I believe should
always be consistent with Springbok rugby. In 2004 the Boks were
ranked sixth in the world and emotionally we were at a low after the
disasters of 2003. I maintained at the time we had good enough players
to win the World Cup. In those four years the Springboks won the Tri
Nations, won the World Cup, won two International Player of the Year
awards, two Coach of the Year awards and twice were recognized by the
IRB as the team of the year. In that time we also beat every team on
at least one occasion. To those players I want to say thank you. To
the support staff an equal thank you.
Not only have you won the World Cup, but you have restored respect for
the Bok jersey and you have honoured those values every young boy in
this country should aspire to want to live.
I walk away with no regrets, but with plenty of sadness.
This is a time to thank people and from a rugby perspective I can't
emphasise enough the contribution of Eddie Jones in the last two
months. The Bok team sponsor SASOL was huge in its contribution, on a
personal level and in whatever the squad needs were. So too the input
of the other rugby sponsors Vodacom, British Airways, Southern Sun and
Absa.
Former President Nelson Mandela was a constant source of inspiration
and President Thabo Mbeki was as inspirational in how he connected
with the squad. I agree with President Mbeki when he says John Smit
for president. We as South Africans have a special son in Smittie and
let's celebrate the qualities of the man.
Finally, to my family, to Deb and the boys I would never be able to
thank you enough for allowing me to pursue my dream.
The next guy will need everyone's support because as wonderful as it
is to coach South Africa, it can be particularly lonely at times.
I wish him all the best.
Thank you.
</quote>
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