WAYNE SMITH HAS turned down the opportunity to join the English rugby team’s backroom staff, citing personal reasons behind his decision to stay in New Zealand.
Smith, 55, was linked with a coaching role after England’s strong Six Nations campaign persuaded the RFU to offer interim coach Stuart Lancaster the job on a permanent basis.
Lancaster flew out to Cape Town last week where he and Smith met to discuss the job, but after considering his options, the former All Black phoned this morning to inform England of his decision to stay on as a coach with Super 15 franchise the Chiefs.
After forming part of New Zealand’s World Cup-winning management team last autumn, Smith took the Chiefs job to remain close to his elderly parents and said today that it was still a key factor in his decision to remain close to home.
“I was very impressed with Stuart [Lancaster] when I met him,” Smith said. “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.
