Top 14:
White departs early from Toulon; Toulouse's Servat signs for
three more years
17 December
2008
Former
Springbok coach Jake White has completed his consultancy
role at Toulon a week earlier than expected.
White
had been due to work with the Top 14 strugglers for more
than two weeks, but departed after their weekend victory
over Montpellier in the European Challenge Cup.
The
highly esteemed coach did, however, stay long enough to make
a raft of suggested changes, including trimming the playing
squad, upgrading the club’s training facilities and
initiating a South African scouting programme – which he
would facilitate, of course.
“He saw
what he needed to see and said what he needed to say,” said
Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal. “He explained a lot of
things to me and might be back,” he added in an interview
with Var-Matin.
Former
Toulon player Anton Oliver recently admitted that the club’s
infrastructure and training facilities were completely
inadequate, and it seems White drew the same conclusions
after his brief stay.
“Our
training centre is not worthy of a club in Top 14,” admitted
Boudjellal. “It’s not in line with the ambitions I have for
this club. Refurbishment has been planned but we’re
waiting.”
Boudjellal also confirmed that White had told him to reduce
the playing squad.
“Jake
White explained to me that in the current group [of 54]
there are too many players, with many not up to Top 14
standard. I will not hesitate to get rid of those that I
regard as not up to standard. In any case, in 2009 the group
will be more streamlined,” said the club’s president.
“He
suggested his ideal XV and some surprising positive changes
for certain players. He also gave us a few ideas for
different training methods.”
But
while saying changes were afoot Boudjellal also confirmed
that it was now up to head coach Tana Umaga what he did with
White’s advice. However, it appears that the latter’s
presence alone has already prompted a change of approach.
“I have
the feeling that he [Umaga] took on board the observations
of Jake White,” said Boudjellal. “I find that Umaga is much
more involved in recent days, he has really taken charge of
the group.”
The comic millionaire further hinted that
despite White’s advice to trim the playing squad he was
still on the lookout for more star names, with Sebastien
Chabal tipped to join in the summer together with want-away
Sale coach Philippe Saint-Andre.
“I will
do as the staff ask of me and we are first of all going to
give a chance to several players. If they don’t take those
chances, then we will look elsewhere,” he added.
Furthermore, Boudjellal said White would stay involved with
the club, at least in a player-advisory role.
“We will
put in place a recruitment strategy to bring young South
African players to the Toulon academy. He would give me the
names of promising young players that we could recruit,”
said Boudjellal.
Change
is clearly the furthest thing from the mind of Toulouse
coach Guy Noves following confirmation the Top 14 leaders
had agreed a three-year contract extension for veteran
international hooker William Servat.
The
30-year-old, who has made more than 200 appearances for the
defending champions, is now tied to the club until the end
of the 2013 season.
He is
the fifth player to agree a new contract at the south west
giants, following earlier deals for Jean-Baptiste Elissalde,
Shaun Sowerby, Yves Donguy and Jean-Baptiste Poux.
The
three-times European champions are now also being lined up
for an “alliance” with New Zealand Super 14 side The Chiefs.
Chiefs
head coach Ian Foster was recently invited to visit
Toulouse, together with club CEO Gary Dawson, and the pair
were clearly impressed.
“I spent
the day with their coaching staff and looked at their
operation,” said Foster. “There’s certainly a plan for them
to come over and spend a week with us early in our next
campaign looking at our operation.
“They’re
a fantastic club – probably the biggest club in Europe in
terms of revenue, crowds and performance, so it’s an
alliance we want to start building because who knows what’s
going to happen in the future, and it’s good for this
franchise to spread its wings.”
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