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Canberra - The man charged with resurrecting the Brumbies from the worst season in their 15-year history slipped into town on Monday night with some words of sympathy for Canberra's straight-talking stand-in coach Tony Rea.
According to the Canberra Times, Rugby World Cup-winning coach Jake White arrived at Canberra Airport from South Africa to begin planning for his four-year reign at the Brumbies, beginning in 2012.
His arrival followed a down-to-business Brumbies training run on Monday, with the team still smarting after Rea publicly questioned the squad's ticker.
"We are just a mob without any fight in us when it gets tough, even if we win," Rea blasted on Saturday.
While not taking a hands-on role with the Brumbies during his visit, 48-year-old White said he would be talking to players and staff about the club's future and was well aware of Rea's fiery words after the team's 29-20 Super Rugby home loss to the last-placed Lions at the weekend.
"It must be bloody tough for him being the interim coach knowing he's not going to be there at the end of the season and still trying to get players to play out of their skin," White said.
"It's difficult for him as stand-in coach, it's tougher than most head coaching jobs."
Revealing that he would be travelling to Sydney on Tuesday to talk to Brumbies great George Gregan about a possible consultancy role, White would also be looking to finalise his assistant coaches this week and get a jump on player recruitment.
"Basically I'm in town to chat about my views of going forward and (it will be) a week of listening to see who fits where and where I can add value."
According to the Canberra Times, Rugby World Cup-winning coach Jake White arrived at Canberra Airport from South Africa to begin planning for his four-year reign at the Brumbies, beginning in 2012.
His arrival followed a down-to-business Brumbies training run on Monday, with the team still smarting after Rea publicly questioned the squad's ticker.
"We are just a mob without any fight in us when it gets tough, even if we win," Rea blasted on Saturday.
While not taking a hands-on role with the Brumbies during his visit, 48-year-old White said he would be talking to players and staff about the club's future and was well aware of Rea's fiery words after the team's 29-20 Super Rugby home loss to the last-placed Lions at the weekend.
"It must be bloody tough for him being the interim coach knowing he's not going to be there at the end of the season and still trying to get players to play out of their skin," White said.
"It's difficult for him as stand-in coach, it's tougher than most head coaching jobs."
Revealing that he would be travelling to Sydney on Tuesday to talk to Brumbies great George Gregan about a possible consultancy role, White would also be looking to finalise his assistant coaches this week and get a jump on player recruitment.
"Basically I'm in town to chat about my views of going forward and (it will be) a week of listening to see who fits where and where I can add value."
