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Cape Town - Jake White has finally broken his Australian silence and says he doesn't feel guilty of leaving the Brumbies in order to "chase an international dream".
White, 50, shocked the Australian rugby fraternity when he quit his role as Brumbies coach last month to undertake the role of Director of Rugby at the Sharks.
The former Springbok coach requested a release from the last two years of his contract at the Brumbies, citing disappointment over missing out on the position as Wallabies coach to Ewen McKenzie.
White initially refused to speak to Australian media to explain his decision to Brumbies fans but finally spoke out.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald website, White wrote a letter to every Brumbies player detailing the reasons why he decided not to return to Canberra to complete the final two years of contract.
White said both he and his wife felt heart sore when they left Canberra, but insists he made the right call.
‘‘I know that in my heart I did my bit and I gave my 100 percent and there was no malice or skulduggery.
‘‘The bottom line is I just wanted to move on. Families allow family members to move on. It happens. A lot of the guys I’ve spoken to, they all understand why it had to happen.
‘‘I told (the Brumbies) I was feeling disillusioned with where my career was going in Australia. And who says I can’t coach Australia after the World Cup? I’ve not turned my back on Australia.
"I don’t feel guilty at all about wanting to chase an international dream, players do it all the time.’’
White has also made it clear to his new employers, the Sharks, about his intentions to return to the international fold.
He coached the Springboks from 2004-07 and finished on a high when they won the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France.
White, 50, shocked the Australian rugby fraternity when he quit his role as Brumbies coach last month to undertake the role of Director of Rugby at the Sharks.
The former Springbok coach requested a release from the last two years of his contract at the Brumbies, citing disappointment over missing out on the position as Wallabies coach to Ewen McKenzie.
White initially refused to speak to Australian media to explain his decision to Brumbies fans but finally spoke out.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald website, White wrote a letter to every Brumbies player detailing the reasons why he decided not to return to Canberra to complete the final two years of contract.
White said both he and his wife felt heart sore when they left Canberra, but insists he made the right call.
‘‘I know that in my heart I did my bit and I gave my 100 percent and there was no malice or skulduggery.
‘‘The bottom line is I just wanted to move on. Families allow family members to move on. It happens. A lot of the guys I’ve spoken to, they all understand why it had to happen.
‘‘I told (the Brumbies) I was feeling disillusioned with where my career was going in Australia. And who says I can’t coach Australia after the World Cup? I’ve not turned my back on Australia.
"I don’t feel guilty at all about wanting to chase an international dream, players do it all the time.’’
White has also made it clear to his new employers, the Sharks, about his intentions to return to the international fold.
He coached the Springboks from 2004-07 and finished on a high when they won the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France.
