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Jake's loyalty questioned

Cape Town - The announcement that Jake White will leave current Currie Cup champions the Sharks has led many to question the former World Cup-winning Springbok coach's loyalty.

According to eNCA's website, pundits are baffled at his decision especially after White revealed that he would be interested in coaching internationally again in the lead up to the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

White quit the Sharks after just one season in charge, reaching the Super Rugby semi-final, losing to the Crusaders.

While in Durban, he was also tasked to up skill the young coaches and tidy up all rugby structures from the Sharks Academy right up to the senior team.

"I believe we put together some excellent structures under new chief executive John Smit, who was always supportive.

"I'm closing this chapter in my life as I believe it is the right time to do so. I want to thank and acknowledge the Sharks for my time spent with the team," said White in a statement.

Meanwhile, on Twitter, some were saying that White may even be reunited with Gert Smal, who is the director of rugby at Western Province, while others echoed murmurs of discontent within the Sharks ranks, which further fuelled speculation that White may have been pushed to resign before he was sacked.

Former Springbok assistant coach Dick Muir said that despite a relatively successful stint with the Sharks during the Super Rugby season, his playing style, although winning, did not attract and that White "wasn't much of a crowd pleaser".

With most of the top-tier teams already set in their preparations for the RWC in England next year, it is unclear where White may move to next, should he indeed return to the international arena.


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