Centre of attention: Brumbies coach Jake White. Photo: Colleen Petch
DURBAN: ACT Brumbies coach Jake White believes he has unfinished business in international rugby and admits the Wallabies job would be the perfect platform to return to Tests if the position became available.
But the World Cup-winning mentor wants to complete his four-year mission in Canberra and doesn't want speculation about his future to distract the Brumbies.
White has rebuilt the Brumbies after 18 months in charge and the team is considered a finals contender after an eight-season absence from the play-offs.
White, who coached South Africa to World Cup victory in 2007, is back in his native country for the Brumbies' two-game tour of Durban and Cape Town. His return prompted Springboks fans to vote in an online poll and install him as the leading candidate to take the reins at the Wallabies in the coming years.
The poll has nothing to do with ARU decisions or White's plans, but it shows his revival work with the Brumbies has him on the international radar.
He has made no secret of his desire to return to international rugby in the future and was linked with the England job last year.
But with the Brumbies getting their 2013 campaign off to a strong start, White said Super Rugby success would be his priority until at least the end of 2015. ''Anyone who talks to me knows I want to coach international rugby again,'' White said. ''Australian rugby has been good to me and of course I have a goal to get back to international rugby.
''But I'm focusing on the Brumbies, I've got a four-year deal and … they're my No.1 priority.
''Yes, I want to get back to international rugby, but I'm here for four years and I don't want it to be a distraction every time something comes up.'' If the Brumbies continue their resurgence and establish themselves as title contenders, White's name will continually be mentioned with vacant Test jobs.
That could mean being linked to the Wallabies, a return to the Springboks or more European teams. Robbie Deans' Wallabies contract expires at the end of the year and it is thought the team's performance against the British and Irish Lions will have a bearing on his future.
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