Rugby: New tricks needed to lick southerners - coach

Jake White. Photo / NZPA

He admits another World Cup win is a goal but Brumbies coach Jake White is focusing on the here and now.

White, the coach of the Brumbies and former World Cup-winning coach with the Springboks, is preparing to face the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium tonight.

The Brumbies are sitting second on the table, just behind the Chiefs on points differential, but the Highlanders will be their first New Zealand opponent in the competition.

That brings a whole new set of issues for the canny White.

"You have to approach it differently. Different countries ask different things of you as a team," he said. "The Highlanders have kicked the ball less than any other team so obviously there's a style they like to play, too. The outside backs they have there with the likes of Ma'a Nonu, Ben Smith, Kade Poki... there is no reason that's not going to work, eventually."

White said ball possession had to be valued greatly against New Zealand sides. "It means when you kick, you have to kick accurately, and when you defend, you have to stop them getting to the gain line. Stop them doing things Kiwi sides like to do. They get one or two guys who bust the line and they get in behind you, that's their game."

The Brumbies were sailing along well but had won only one of their last three, though it was much better than what the Highlanders had managed.

White said playing four South African teams in a row had taken a toll on his side, but it had been revitalised with the introduction of fullback Jesse Mogg and former Waikato loose forward Jordan Smiler.

George Smith is contracted to the Brumbies to May 31, then has a break planned.