Brumbies > Team > Coach Profiles

Brumbies Rugby Home >
Team >
Coach Profiles

Head Coach
	Jake White Born: 19 March, 1963, Johannesburg There are few coaches in world rugby as highly regarded as Jake White. With more than 20 years experience, which has taken him to success around the globe, White led the Brumbies out of the wilderness in 2012 to the cusp of the Super Rugby finals. Starting from scratch, White restructured the entire rugby program in Canberra, surrounding himself with industry pace-setters like Dean Benton (Athletic Performance Coach), Laurie Fisher (Forwards Coach), Stephen Larkham (Backs Coach) and Tony Thorpe (Team Manager). In less than 12 months, White took the Brumbies from Super Rugby strugglers to a team capable of challenging for the title. The Brumbies rugby program is once again attracting top-line players, with the world’s best open-side flanker David Pocock joining the ACT based side last June. His outstanding coaching record is the envy of all top-line rugby coaches around the planet. A Junior World Cup in 2002, a Rugby World Cup in 2007, Tri-Nations, Mandela Plates and two IRB World Coach of the Year awards decorate a man on a mission to add a Super Rugby title to his resume. Inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame in 2011, has been permanently saluted for his commitment to rugby along with some of the game’s biggest names like John Eales, Jonah Lomu and Sir Clive Woodward. Originally from Johannesburg, White made the town of Stellenbosch on South Africa’s Western Cape home before moving to Canberra in 2011. His numerous links with African rugby identities have led to the Brumbies playing, training and recruiting with a more exotic feel that other, traditional Australian provinces. In 2013, White has set a new focus and drive for his players having fallen so agonisingly close to success in 2012.

Head Coach

Jake White

Born: 19 March, 1963, Johannesburg

There are few coaches in world rugby as highly regarded as Jake White.

With more than 20 years experience, which has taken him to success around the globe, White led the Brumbies out of the wilderness in 2012 to the cusp of the Super Rugby finals.

Starting from scratch, White restructured the entire rugby program in Canberra, surrounding himself with industry pace-setters like Dean Benton (Athletic Performance Coach), Laurie Fisher (Forwards Coach), Stephen Larkham (Backs Coach) and Tony Thorpe (Team Manager).

In less than 12 months, White took the Brumbies from Super Rugby strugglers to a team capable of challenging for the title. The Brumbies rugby program is once again attracting top-line players, with the world’s best open-side flanker David Pocock joining the ACT based side last June.

His outstanding coaching record is the envy of all top-line rugby coaches around the planet.

A Junior World Cup in 2002, a Rugby World Cup in 2007, Tri-Nations, Mandela Plates and two IRB World Coach of the Year awards decorate a man on a mission to add a Super Rugby title to his resume.

Inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame in 2011, has been permanently saluted for his commitment to rugby along with some of the game’s biggest names like John Eales, Jonah Lomu and Sir Clive Woodward.

Originally from Johannesburg, White made the town of Stellenbosch on South Africa’s Western Cape home before moving to Canberra in 2011. His numerous links with African rugby identities have led to the Brumbies playing, training and recruiting with a more exotic feel that other, traditional Australian provinces.

In 2013, White has set a new focus and drive for his players having fallen so agonisingly close to success in 2012.

Forwards Coach
	Laurie Fisher Born: 25 April, 1958 Canberra, ACT Regarded as Australia’s premier mind on the breakdown and tight-forwards play, Laurie Fisher returned to Canberra as the Brumbies Forwards Coach in 2012 having enjoyed a three-year stint in Ireland with Munster. Despite a newly acquired taste for Guinness, Fisher prides himself on being as Canberran as fireworks and has settled back into life in the ACT without any hassles. A former University star in both the Canberra and Queensland club rugby competitions, Fisher believes that hard work and attention to detail are essential keys to success. He has been responsible for bringing the best out in countless Brumbies players, with Michael Hooper’s ability at the breakdown now considered world class after just one season under Fisher. Entering his 12th year of professional coaching, Fisher has spent countless hours watching footage of players from around the globe, eager to improve his own understanding of the game while constantly on the lookout for new talent. While discussion often centres on the origin and age of his famously-faded bucket cap, Fisher’s coaching methods and techniques are setting industry standard as players see visible improvements to their games while under his guidance.

Forwards Coach

Laurie Fisher

Born: 25 April, 1958 Canberra, ACT

Regarded as Australia’s premier mind on the breakdown and tight-forwards play, Laurie Fisher returned to Canberra as the Brumbies Forwards Coach in 2012 having enjoyed a three-year stint in Ireland with Munster.

Despite a newly acquired taste for Guinness, Fisher prides himself on being as Canberran as fireworks and has settled back into life in the ACT without any hassles.

A former University star in both the Canberra and Queensland club rugby competitions, Fisher believes that hard work and attention to detail are essential keys to success. He has been responsible for bringing the best out in countless Brumbies players, with Michael Hooper’s ability at the breakdown now considered world class after just one season under Fisher.

Entering his 12th year of professional coaching, Fisher has spent countless hours watching footage of players from around the globe, eager to improve his own understanding of the game while constantly on the lookout for new talent.

While discussion often centres on the origin and age of his famously-faded bucket cap, Fisher’s coaching methods and techniques are setting industry standard as players see visible improvements to their games while under his guidance.

Backs Coach
	Stephen Larkham Born: 29 May 1974, Canberra, ACT Nickname: Bernie One of the greatest fly-halves to ever play the game is quickly developing into a first-class backs coach. Now in his third year as the Brumbies back’s mentor, Stephen Larkham has made the transition from player to coach seamlessly, with the 2012 backline humming throughout the season. Watching Christian Lealiifano carve up defensive lines in 2012, Brumbies fans could have been forgiven for thinking they were watching their side from a decade earlier. Larkham has had a profound influence on Lealiifano’s game, as well as Matt Toomua and Zack Holmes, helping the young playmakers with decision making and supplying their backline with opportunity. A Canberra local who bleeds yellow and navy, Larkham has been involved with the Brumbies since day one. He started in the club’s first ever competition game way back in 1996, played both winning finals in 2001 and 2004 and has now flourished as a coach during the Jake White era. His international experience is just as impressive, with a World Cup, Bledisloe Cup and Tri-Nations all in the bag as a Wallabies flyhalf. Larkham has been handed a new challenge in 2013 – to make further improvements on a backline that has already proven it can cut any defensive line to shreds. .

Backs Coach

Stephen Larkham

Born: 29 May 1974, Canberra, ACT
Nickname: Bernie

One of the greatest fly-halves to ever play the game is quickly developing into a first-class backs coach. Now in his third year as the Brumbies back’s mentor, Stephen Larkham has made the transition from player to coach seamlessly, with the 2012 backline humming throughout the season.

Watching Christian Lealiifano carve up defensive lines in 2012, Brumbies fans could have been forgiven for thinking they were watching their side from a decade earlier. Larkham has had a profound influence on Lealiifano’s game, as well as Matt Toomua and Zack Holmes, helping the young playmakers with decision making and supplying their backline with opportunity.

A Canberra local who bleeds yellow and navy, Larkham has been involved with the Brumbies since day one. He started in the club’s first ever competition game way back in 1996, played both winning finals in 2001 and 2004 and has now flourished as a coach during the Jake White era.

His international experience is just as impressive, with a World Cup, Bledisloe Cup and Tri-Nations all in the bag as a Wallabies flyhalf.

Larkham has been handed a new challenge in 2013 – to make further improvements on a backline that has already proven it can cut any defensive line to shreds.

.

Athletic Performance Director
	Dean Benton Dean Benton is one of Australia's forefront minds on the development and maintenance of high-performance athletes. In just over a year, Benton has transformed the Brumbies Athletic Performance department to be the fittest in Australian rugby. The implementation of the Brumbies Performance Canteen, the revamped recovery centre and gymnasium as well as the adjustments to the club's nutrition and recovery habits have set the Brumbies on a path of success. Benton's previous work with some of Australia's top swimmers, rugby league players, track and field athletes and AFL players has allowed him to network with industry leaders both here in Australia and throughout the world. Constant study of the human body and its precise functions has led to Benton working with the AIS to develop better practices for rugby players in general. He is widely respected for his work with Australian athletes and will be coaching the Brumbies to a possible finals finish in 2013.

Athletic Performance Director

Dean Benton

Dean Benton is one of Australia's forefront minds on the development and maintenance of high-performance athletes.

In just over a year, Benton has transformed the Brumbies Athletic Performance department to be the fittest in Australian rugby. The implementation of the Brumbies Performance Canteen, the revamped recovery centre and gymnasium as well as the adjustments to the club's nutrition and recovery habits have set the Brumbies on a path of success.

Benton's previous work with some of Australia's top swimmers, rugby league players, track and field athletes and AFL players has allowed him to network with industry leaders both here in Australia and throughout the world.

Constant study of the human body and its precise functions has led to Benton working with the AIS to develop better practices for rugby players in general. He is widely respected for his work with Australian athletes and will be coaching the Brumbies to a possible finals finish in 2013.

Brumbies Squad