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White's heritage 'irrelevant'

Sydney -  Australian Rugby Union chief executive Bill Pulver stands by the decision to overlook Jake White as the next Wallabies coach and says White's South African heritage did not influence the move to appoint Ewen McKenzie.

GALLERY: Jake White spotted at Newlands

White asked for a release from the club last Friday, and on Wednesday the club granted his request.

According to the smh.co.au website, the Brumbies say the ARU's preference for an Australian coach shattered White's hopes of one day becoming the Wallabies coach.

White and McKenzie were the two candidates to replace Robbie Deans in July.

They were both interviewed for the job and the ARU had been courting White since February.

The ARU has maintained its edict that it wanted a leader who could coach ''the Australian way''.

''Jake did such a great job with the Brumbies that he was in consideration for the Wallabies job … we know Jake is an outstanding, world-class coach,'' Pulver said.

''From my perspective [Jake being South African] had very little to do with the decision,'' Pulver said.


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