Jake has his work cut out
10 Dec 2008
World Cup winning coach Jake White admits he has a hard road ahead of him in his role as consultant to struggling French Top 14 side Toulon.
White, who was recently brought in by club owner Mourad Boudjellal in a temporary role as technical advisor, claimed there were several problems to be addressed after watching Toulon’s 14-10 defeat to Montpellier in the European Challenge Cup last Friday.
“The scrum and defence were okay, but the lineout was very poor and the kicking game only average,” said White.
White, who recently took charge of the Barbarians against the Wallabies at Wembley Stadium, was at training this week getting to know the players and the coaching staff and will deliver his first assessment at the end of the week.
“It is difficult to have an opinion having only attended one training session. I’m waiting to see what the plan is for the next few days.
“This week I’m going to observe how the team prepares for Saturday’s match [the return leg against Montpellier] and I will then prepare an analysis on what can be improved.”
White claimed he was not at the club to simply provide advice for the short-term.
“I’m not only here to give advice as a consultant, but also to assess whether Toulon can become stronger in the next two years and become French champions.”
Toulon, who currently lie third from bottom in the league, have struggled since making their return to the top flight despite Boudjellal’s bankroll which has brought in the likes of Jerry Collins and Joe van Niekerk.
The club’s first attempt to bring in a consultant failed horribly when former Wallabies mentor John Connolly reportedly clashed with coach Tana Umaga and left after just a day.
53 Comments
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11 Dec 2008, 22:06 pm
#49 bokfan1:
Obviously you dont agree with my post.
I have every right to lurk as you say on this site.But the thing is i get alot of insight into SA rugby on here,more than what i get on an NZ site.I know whats happening in NZ rugby as i live here,but to know about SA rugby is a bonus as well.Maybe i respect SA rugby have you ever looked at it that way.I honestly dont see why i have to tell you why i am on here,do you want to know what i am wearing as well?
About this huge chip on NZ fans,maybe,but we see a huge chip on SA fans as well.SA have the RWC but even then NZ is the team that most international teams rate themselves against,even with the RWC you guys are not the #1 team,now dont get all crappy on me,i am just stating the facts on what i see.
11 Dec 2008, 22:08 pm
#49 bokfan1:
Oh and by the way point out where i said anything wrong in post #43?
Sounds like you are a 4 year guy
12 Dec 2008, 13:45 pm
#52 Hurricane: bro, I never said anything about your post in #43, there is no problem with it.
Maybe you do respect SA rugby, but often your comments deride the Boks and you seem to take any opportunity to comment on how more amazing the ABs are, so I didnt see that respect.
But you seem like a cool guy and some of your posts are really good. I wasnt getting crappy on you because, according to you, teams rate themselves against the ABs – that is for the other teams to decide.
My only question was why be negative about a team on a site affiliated to that team? You guys would go mental if someone posted negative comments about the ABs on Silver Fern!
#50 CHAZ: Good answer, although the writing is not great what does “we just come on here to see what ex saffas have got to say about their team” mean? I would say most/all of the people here are CURRENT Safas??
Dude the song on YouTube – if its the Spitting Image one was made about 25 years ago. If its another one – please send me the link and I will watch it.
And please, stop about the Apartheid stuff man, you guys always bring that up! It was ages ago, and NZ often mention how they were the first nation to call for sporting sanctions (some say because the Boks beat them more than they won, but I wasnt there so I dont know).
The Boks were flour-bombed in NZ etc etc so Im not sure what your comment about Apartheid has to do with anything.
Im talking about a chip on the shoulder about THE WORLD CUP. Lets stick to the subject.
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