Smith’s going nowhere

Smith’s going nowhere

1 May 2012

Wayne Smith has turned down a coaching position with the England Test team.

The World Cup-winning assistant coach had been touted as a possible backline coach of England, but on Tuesday it was confirmed that Smith had turned down the Rugby Football Union’s offer.

Smith is currently working with the Chiefs in the Super Rugby competition. He said the decision to remain in New Zealand was personal.

‘I do also feel some loyalty to the Chiefs and the job that I have with them and leaving after eight months when I have a year left on my contract did not feel right,’ said Smith.

‘I was very impressed with Stuart [Lancaster] when I met him. He is an outstanding individual and will be a great plus for England rugby and anyone who works in his team will be very fortunate.

‘England have some fantastic young players and the opportunity to work with them ahead of the 2015 World Cup was very appealing. It was an incredibly difficult decision but ultimately I have decided to stay in New Zealand, mainly for personal reasons.

‘I took the job with the Chiefs so I could move nearer to elderly parents. I have travelled the globe with rugby for the last 15 years and I want to fulfil my commitment to be closer to them.’


9 Comments

  • 1.Uncle Oswald: Reply to this comment
    1 May 2012, 18:43 pm

    Sticking around for now Dragon!

  • 2.brains_trust: Reply to this comment
    1 May 2012, 18:52 pm

    Sir Steve Smith, what a boring article, only clicked it beacause it was about Juan…

  • 3.spartan: Reply to this comment
    1 May 2012, 19:27 pm

    And now the rugby world can breathe a collective sigh of relief
    A Lancaster – Smith combination was just too scary to contemplate
    and I couldn’t bear thinking about it

  • 4.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    1 May 2012, 20:30 pm

    Tough luck for england and an opportunity for mike catt.

  • 5.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    1 May 2012, 22:12 pm

    incredabrain wayne stays put & the NZRU rests easy that rests easy, for now.

  • 6.viewer: Reply to this comment
    1 May 2012, 22:20 pm

    If he’s staying in NZ then the only thing that makes sense is to appoint wayne the head coach of Auckland Blues.
    Put his parents in an old age home. Wait. . .wayne might go missing in action on the cook islands again

  • 7.Te Rangatira: Reply to this comment
    1 May 2012, 22:21 pm

    My prediction……will come to the Mighty Blues and hopefully clean house …top to bottom….will need a henchman also, a Mc Macallion clone to take some of those stubborn losers out the back… to slap a bit of manliness into them.

  • 8.spartan: Reply to this comment
    1 May 2012, 22:54 pm

    @Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-7:
    “to slap a bit of manliness into them”
    Beautiful

  • 9.CSI:Rugby: Reply to this comment
    2 May 2012, 15:20 pm

    No Wayne Smith for Blues, John Kirwan is the man for that Job. Smith should be back with the ABs.

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