White bows out with a win

CARDIFF – A year on from almost losing his job after defeat by England at Twickenham, Jake White bowed out of test rugby with South Africa sitting on top of the world.

The Springboks began their new life as world champions by impressively beating Wales 34-12 in White’s final full test in charge on Saturday but it could all have been so different. “It was the 24th November weekend after I was summoned back – I was fortunate that we beat England, I kept my job,” said White, who team won the second of the two Twickenham tests on November 25.Asked how different South African rugby would have been had he, instead of England’s Andy Robinson, been sacked, White said: “No one will ever know but I guess there is a lesson there for everyone.”I stuck with the group of players, stuck with my captain and stuck to the things I believe in, that’s the lesson I learned.”It’s been a great year.We won 14 of our 17 tests, we won the World Cup and we are ranked number one.In a way it’s a sense of relief to walk away with that there and it is always better to go out on your own terms.”White’s team certainly signed off in style as they ran in five tries, including three in a first-half burst that effectively settled the game when they led 22-0.PASSIONATE CROWD “I started my coaching career with the Sharks against Newport and ended it at the Millennium Stadium in front of a very passionate Welsh crowd and to get a win like that, that’s the way you want to bow out I guess,” he said.Captain John Smit added: “The biggest thing…was to send off this man (White) after the four years he’s given us.We wanted to say goodbye in the best possible way.”Wales are also changing coaches, though new man Warren Gatland does not take over until next week, and caretaker Nigel Davies said there were some positives for the New Zealander to take from the defeat.”What I saw was a huge amount passion, effort and endeavour,” Davies said.”From my point of view this was the basis of a very good team going forward and there were some great individual performances – Morgan Stoddart and Gavin Henson among them.”We need to move forward as a nation and establish that wining habit.I think we’ve laid a foundation today.”We can’t accept mediocrity and we won’t and there is a lot to work on but I can’t criticise the effort and passion today.”* Meanwhile, Gatland was left in no doubt about the size of his task after Wales lost 34-12 to world champions South Africa here at the Millennium Stadium.Caretaker Wales boss Nigel Davies, after what was both sides’ first Test since the World Cup, praised his team’s “passion and commitment” but such qualities ought to be a given at international level.South Africa, fielding nine of the side that started the World Cup final against England but most of whose team hadn’t played any rugby at all since that 15-6 success in Paris in October 20, provided a lesson to their hosts in both defensive organisation and attacking ruthlessness.In fairness to Wales, outscored five tries to two, this was very much a new-look side.Only five players retaining their starting positions from the team beaten 38-34 by Fiji at the World Cup in September – a loss that denied them a quarter-final clash with the Springboks and cost coach Gareth Jenkins his job.Nampa-Reuters”It was the 24th November weekend after I was summoned back – I was fortunate that we beat England, I kept my job,” said White, who team won the second of the two Twickenham tests on November 25.Asked how different South African rugby would have been had he, instead of England’s Andy Robinson, been sacked, White said: “No one will ever know but I guess there is a lesson there for everyone.”I stuck with the group of players, stuck with my captain and stuck to the things I believe in, that’s the lesson I learned.”It’s been a great year.We won 14 of our 17 tests, we won the World Cup and we are ranked number one.In a way it’s a sense of relief to walk away with that there and it is always better to go out on your own terms.”White’s team certainly signed off in style as they ran in five tries, including three in a first-half burst that effectively settled the game when they led 22-0. PASSIONATE CROWD “I started my coaching career with the Sharks against Newport and ended it at the Millennium Stadium in front of a very passionate Welsh crowd and to get a win like that, that’s the way you want to bow out I guess,” he said.Captain John Smit added: “The biggest thing…was to send off this man (White) after the four years he’s given us.We wanted to say goodbye in the best possible way.”Wales are also changing coaches, though new man Warren Gatland does not take over until next week, and caretaker Nigel Davies said there were some positives for the New Zealander to take from the defeat.”What I saw was a huge amount passion, effort and endeavour,” Davies said.”From my point of view this was the basis of a very good team going forward and there were some great individual performances – Morgan Stoddart and Gavin Henson among them.”We need to move forward as a nation and establish that wining habit.I think we’ve laid a foundation today.”We can’t accept mediocrity and we won’t and there is a lot to work on but I can’t criticise the effort and passion today.”* Meanwhile, Gatland was left in no doubt about the size of his task after Wales lost 34-12 to world champions South Africa here at the Millennium Stadium.Caretaker Wales boss Nigel Davies, after what was both sides’ first Test since the World Cup, praised his team’s “passion and commitment” but such qualities ought to be a given at international level.South Africa, fielding nine of the side that started the World Cup final against England but most of whose team hadn’t played any rugby at all since that 15-6 success in Paris in October 20, provided a lesson to their hosts in both defensive organisation and attacking ruthlessness.In fairness to Wales, outscored five tries to two, this was very much a new-look side.Only five players retaining their starting positions from the team beaten 38-34 by Fiji at the World Cup in September – a loss that denied them a quarter-final clash with the Springboks and cost coach Gareth Jenkins his job.Nampa-Reuters