Smith doesn't have the Blues - yet
Sun, 04 Jul 2010 13:03
All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith
All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith has poured cold water over speculation that he would be joining the Blues coaching staff for next year's Super 15 tournament.
With Blues backline coach Shane Howarth having been released of his duties just one day ago, speculation is already rife that the All Blacks backs coach could fill his spot.
Smith, like fellow ABs assistant coach Steve Hansen, is looking for more hands-on coaching work, but it seems unlikely that he will assist Pat Lam - with Hansen having been linked to the forwards job at the Highlanders - in an official capacity next season.
"I'll be doing the same job I have done every year since I have been coaching the All Blacks," Smith told the nzherald.co.nz newspaper.
"I'll make myself available, helping the [Super 14] coaches where I can, making sure I'm communicating with the players and getting round all the franchises.
"I haven't even had a discussion with the Blues. I won't be coaching the Blues next year but philosophically I'm not opposed to it [All Black coaches coaching Super 14 teams]."
The Blues will advertise for the vacant coaching position from Sunday, July 11 and Howarth - a New Zealander by birth, but a former Welsh international - is free to re-apply.
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