Jake White hopeful his Brumbies stint will aid new side, the Sharks, on Australasian tour

WORLD Cup-winning coach Jake White believes inside knowledge will prove decisive as his Sharks side prepare for Friday’s clash with the Rebels.

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - APRIL 12: Lwazi Mvovo celebrating his try with Lourense Adrianse,Bismarck du Plessis and Sibusiso Sithole during the Super Rugby match between Lions and Cell C Sharks at Ellis Park on April 12, 2014 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images)

WORLD Cup-winning coach Jake White believes inside knowledge will prove decisive as Super Rugby powerhouse, the Sharks, prepare for Friday’s clash with Melbourne Rebels.

Stunned by a 34-18 loss to the Highlanders in Durban, the Sharks begin a four-match against the Rebels before facing the Brumbies, Crusaders and Blues.

White, who last season guided the Brumbies to the final, says his 30-month stint in Australia will be beneficial as he returns with the table-topping Sharks.

“This will be my first trip away with the Sharks and I’m looking forward to it in the belief that, having lived over there for 2½ years, I can add some value,” he told The Citizen newspaper.

“While I was at the Brumbies, a lot of CVs from a host of players the Sharks will come up against on tour crossed my desk. So I have a fair idea of their strengths and weaknesses.”

While White has set his Springbok-laden team high goals on the Australasian tour, Melbourne has its own score to settle.

The Sharks handed the Rebels their worst defeat with a record 64-7 shellacking in Durban last year made worse by the post-match stoush involving teammates Kurtley Beale, Cooper Vuna and Gareth Delve.News_Rich_Media: The Highlanders have pulled off one of the shocks of the season so far, convincingly beating the Sharks in Durban.

The trio have now left the club, but the memory of that defeat remains strong.

Melbourne has never beaten the Sharks, narrowly failing 34-32 at AAMI Park in 2011.

The Sharks are hopeful captain Bismarck du Plessis will return to the front row to partner fellow Springboks Tendai Mtawarira and Jannie du Plessis.

White concedes the Highlanders’ failure was “not ideal”.

“But it’s highly unlikely teams are going to be unbeaten throughout the competition,” White said.

“You’ve seen how tough this competition is and people have realised that no matter who you’re playing against, it’s tough to win.

“When you win you take all the pleasantries and accolades that go with it, but when you lose, you’ve got to dust yourself off and get up.”

The Sharks’ lead at the top of the table has been cut to a single point following the Brumbies victory over the Chiefs.

Melbourne has moved to 12th position, one place higher than Queensland after the Reds were beaten by the Hurricanes.