Wayne Smith opts to stay in New Zealand but Catt joins England team

Posted on May 1, 2012 in England, English Rugby

Wayne Smith has decided to stay in New Zealand for personal reasons rather than join the England coaching team.

Wayne Smith said: “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.

“I also want to compliment the RFU on the way they have conducted the process. They have acted with integrity, diligence and patience.

“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.

“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.”

England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster said: “Wayne rang me this morning and I fully respect his decision which, as he says, was a difficult one.

“He is clearly a coach of quality, honesty and integrity. I enjoyed meeting him and wish him all the best for the future in his coaching role with the Chiefs. All my energy will now go into preparing for an exciting tour to South Africa and I will reassess the coaching team post tour prior to the start of the QBE Internationals.”

RFU Chief Executive Officer Ian Ritchie said: “We are disappointed but it is important to remember we already have some very talented coaches on board. We will take stock after the tour and make sure we do all we can to support Stuart in building a coaching team to take us through to 2015.”

Mike Catt joins England coaching team for South Africa

Mike Catt will join the England coaching team for the five-match tour of South Africa next month.

Mike will leave London Irish after their final Aviva Premiership match with Gloucester Rugby at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday and start work with England on May 7 through to June 30.

England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster said: “Mike has played at the top level and is highly respected. He has done a great job whilst coaching at London Irish and we are looking forward to working with him on this South Africa tour. He is experienced in playing in South Africa and this will be invaluable as we prepare for this challenging and exciting tour.

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Wayne Smith to join Chiefs as assistant coach

Posted on Jun 27, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

All Blacks Assistant Coach Wayne Smith is to join the Chiefs Investec Super Rugby franchise as an Assistant Coach, the Chiefs and New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) have announced.

Smith has signed with the Chiefs for the 2012 – 2013 seasons, joining new Head Coach Dave Rennie and Assistant Coach Tom Coventry, and will finish with the All Blacks at the end of the year.

Smith 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.

“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.”

NZRU CEO Steve Tew said they were delighted that Smith would be staying in New Zealand rugby.

“Smithy is a world-class coach with huge mana and not just within rugby circles. He is hugely respected, continues to be an inspirational influence for many rugby players and it is a huge plus to be keeping him in New Zealand.”

Chiefs CEO Gary Dawson said:  “The Chiefs are thrilled to have a coach of Wayne’s calibre onboard.  Wayne is internationally recognised as an outstanding coach and we are very fortunate to have someone with his experience, knowledge and skill join our coaching group. Both the Chiefs squad and region will benefit hugely from Wayne’s decision to join us.”

Chiefs Coach Dave Rennie said:  “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.”

The Chiefs appointment is the latest move in distinguished career for the former All Black. While more well-known recently as the All Blacks Assistant Coach, Smith was also an accomplished first five-eighth in his playing days. He was part of the legendary Canterbury provincial team of the 1980s and played 17 Tests for the All Blacks and 35 matches overall from 1980 – 1985. He was coach of the Crusaders from 1997 – 1999 winning two Super Rugby titles, first joined the All Blacks coaching staff as a Technical Advisor in 1998 – 1999 and was coach of the national team in 2000 – 2001.  After a stint overseas, he returned to the All Blacks coaching team in 2004 alongside Graham Henry and Steve Hansen and since then has helped coach the team to an 86 percent winning record.

Falcons make 12 changes for LV= cup

Posted on Nov 4, 2009 in Rugby News

Newcastle Falcons have freshened up their squad for Saturday’s LV= Cup trip to Worcester, making 12 changes from the side which beat the Warriors at Kingston Park last weekend.

Left wing Uche Oduoza makes his Newcastle debut against his former club, with the England Sevens international having racked up the tries for the Falcons Development Team following his summer move from Japan.

Cumbrian Mark Wilson makes his debut on the openside flank, with the 20-year-old’s form for Blaydon and the Newcastle second-string earning him a call-up to the senior side.

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