Smith admits to AB exit option
Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:03
All Black backline coach Wayne Smith has finally confirmed the rumours and admitted that he has had discussions with the Ospreys regarding him possibly taking over as head coach of the Welsh region.
Smith though insists he will not be spending any time this November considering the offer – saying he will sit down and assess the state-of-play once the Grand Slam tour is done.
Speaking to www.stuff.co.nz Smith said: “Coaches are like players, you are always getting contacted by clubs to go and work for them, but at the moment I’m on tour and I’m giving my heart and soul here,
"There have been lots of offers and I haven’t taken any of them seriously yet. I’ll have a look at what I’m doing after this.”
He continued: “I’ve got a review clause in my contract for the end of the year and I’ll make some decisions then," the 51-year-old added.
"There’s always a chance [of leaving the All Blacks].
"This is my 78th Test match as an All Black coach and there’s always a possibility [of quitting], but who knows.”
Smith and his Kiwi team are currently preparing for their assault on Croke Park this Saturday when they face Ireland but it is at Twickenham, on November 29, when the curtain could well come down on the 51 year-old’s glittering All Black career.
Having started as a technical advisor with the national side in 1998 and 1999 Smith had two years at the helm before being replaced by John Mitchell.
Having spent three years at Northampton, before his return to the national coaching team alongside Graham Henry, Smith already has great knowledge of the European rugby scene and is widely expected to join Andrew Hore and Sean Holley in the Ospreys setup.
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