Post by Yetti on Nov 15, 2009 9:41:34 GMT
Tony Smith has resigned as coach of the England rugby league side.
Smith's decision comes in the wake of the crushing 46-16 defeat by Australia in the final of the Four Nations at Elland Road on Saturday.
The 42-year-old was appointed England coach in March 2007 and his contract was due to expire at the end of 2009.
Since March this year Smith has combined his England role on a part-time basis along with head coaching duties at Warrington Wolves.
Australian-born Smith, who became a British citizen in September 2008, has endured a turbulent tenure as coach of the national team.
He was criticised in many quarters for the side's lacklustre performances at last year's World Cup where they suffered a record 52-4 loss to Australia and suffered two defeats to eventual winners New Zealand, including in the semi-final.
Despite reaching the final of the Four Nations, beating New Zealand en route, Saturday's heavy defeat by Australia in the final prompted Smith to tenure his resignation.
Smith surprised many when he signed a two-year deal as head of coaching at Super League side Warrington earlier this year, a move which saw him reduce his role with England and stand down as the Rugby Football League's technical director.
However, working alongside coach James Lowes, he guided the club away from relegation and, in August, led them to their first Challenge Cup victory since 1974 courtesy of a 25-16 win over Huddersfield.
Smith has previously enjoyed success at club level with Huddersfield and Leeds, leading the Rhinos to two Grand Final wins.
We can all moan and groan about his decisions, but we have to agree that under him we made more progress than we have for a while. A couple of weeks back we were all bemoaning the fact that we where on to a looser against the kiwis and weren't gonna make the final. and then competed for 60 in the final its self. A couple of better decisions and the result could have been totally different.
The question is, who's going to replace him?
Smith's decision comes in the wake of the crushing 46-16 defeat by Australia in the final of the Four Nations at Elland Road on Saturday.
The 42-year-old was appointed England coach in March 2007 and his contract was due to expire at the end of 2009.
Since March this year Smith has combined his England role on a part-time basis along with head coaching duties at Warrington Wolves.
Australian-born Smith, who became a British citizen in September 2008, has endured a turbulent tenure as coach of the national team.
He was criticised in many quarters for the side's lacklustre performances at last year's World Cup where they suffered a record 52-4 loss to Australia and suffered two defeats to eventual winners New Zealand, including in the semi-final.
Despite reaching the final of the Four Nations, beating New Zealand en route, Saturday's heavy defeat by Australia in the final prompted Smith to tenure his resignation.
Smith surprised many when he signed a two-year deal as head of coaching at Super League side Warrington earlier this year, a move which saw him reduce his role with England and stand down as the Rugby Football League's technical director.
However, working alongside coach James Lowes, he guided the club away from relegation and, in August, led them to their first Challenge Cup victory since 1974 courtesy of a 25-16 win over Huddersfield.
Smith has previously enjoyed success at club level with Huddersfield and Leeds, leading the Rhinos to two Grand Final wins.
We can all moan and groan about his decisions, but we have to agree that under him we made more progress than we have for a while. A couple of weeks back we were all bemoaning the fact that we where on to a looser against the kiwis and weren't gonna make the final. and then competed for 60 in the final its self. A couple of better decisions and the result could have been totally different.
The question is, who's going to replace him?
