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Smith quits All Blacks job

Auckland - All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith is bringing his winning formula to the Chiefs, having signed a two-year deal with the Hamilton-based Super Rugby franchise.

According to the Stuff.co.nz website, Smith has signed with the Chiefs for the 2012/13 seasons, joining new head coach Dave Rennie and assistant coach Tom Coventry.

Smith knows all about success at this level - he was coach of the Crusaders from 1997-1999 winning two Super Rugby titles.

It was there that he caught the eye of All Blacks coach John Hart who enticed him into the Test set-up as a technical advisor in 1998-1999.

Smith went on to become head All Blacks coach in 2000/01 and returned to the set-up as Graham Henry’s assistant since 2003, working mainly on the backline division.

While Smith had already stated that he would be stepping down from the All Blacks after this year’s Rugby World Cup, the retention of his services in New Zealand is a major coup, especially for the Chiefs who have never won a Super Rugby title.

Smith may have made a name for himself as a player and a coach with Canterbury and the Crusaders but he was born in the Waikato town of Putaruru and said he was looking forward to returning to his roots.

“Even though I’ve lived in Christchurch for many years and consider myself a proud Cantabrian, I am also a Waikato boy. I have family and lifelong friends there and am really excited to take up this opportunity with the Chiefs,” Smith said.

“I know that the time is right to step down from my All Blacks role at the end of the year, but I was keen to stay in New Zealand and keep contributing to New Zealand rugby and this gives me a fantastic chance to do that.”

Chiefs coach Dave Rennie said he was keen to tap into Smith’s experience.

“Smithy is one of the best coaches in the world. While his role will primarily be around defence and counter–attack, his experience will be of huge benefit to our playing and coaching group as a whole,” Rennie said.

Smith also coached Northampton in the English premiership during his time away from the All Blacks.
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