Tony Smith (rugby league, born 1967): Difference between revisions
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The [[Leeds Rhinos|Rhinos]] failed to win a trophy in the 2006 season, suffering defeat at the Semi-Final stage of the Challenge Cup and losing out to [[Warrington Wolves|Warrington]] in [[Super League XI#SL Play-Offs - Week One|week one of the play-offs]]. |
The [[Leeds Rhinos|Rhinos]] failed to win a trophy in the 2006 season, suffering defeat at the Semi-Final stage of the Challenge Cup and losing out to [[Warrington Wolves|Warrington]] in [[Super League XI#SL Play-Offs - Week One|week one of the play-offs]]. |
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However, in the 2006-2007 season, he managed to sign the Kiwi full-back of the year 2006 [[Brent Webb]], and started the league |
However, in the 2006-2007 season, he managed to sign the Kiwi full-back of the year 2006 [[Brent Webb]], and started the league campaign strongly. With great last gasp wins over the Bradford Bulls at both Odsall and in The Millenium Magic, and two victories over saints, Leeds finished 2nd. They narrowly lost in a brutal game 10-8 at Saints, but beat Wigan to ensure their place in the final. On the 13th October 2007, Leeds Rhinos beat Saint Helens 33-6 to become Super League champions, giving Tony Smith the perfect send off. Tony Smith worked wonders at Leeds Rhinos, and both the players and fans will greatly miss his presence |
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===Great Britain=== |
===Great Britain=== |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Tony}} |
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Revision as of 17:08, 13 November 2007
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Tony Smith | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Great Britain | ||
Tony Smith (born 24 January, 1967 in Lismore, New South Wales) is an Australian former rugby league player and is now the head coach of the Great Britain national rugby league team. He is the younger brother of fellow rugby league coach, Brian Smith.
Career
Tony Smith played rugby league with the Illawarra Steelers, for whom he made 37 appearances and scored 9 tries, as well as the St. George Dragons for whom he played 28 games, including the 1992 Grand Final. Tony finished his playing career in 1996 with a spell at Workington in Super League.
Smith impressed as coach of Huddersfield Giants, leading the Yorkshire club back into Super League, after suffering relegation in his first season at the McAlpine Stadium.
Rhinos
The Australian was appointed by the Rhinos in a surprise move in November 2003 as the club decided to move incumbent Daryl Powell into an upstairs role for two years from the start of the 2004 season.
He guided Leeds to their first Championship in 32 years in 2004 and the Rhinos went on to beat the Canterbury Bulldogs in the 2005 World Club Challenge at Elland Road. Later that year they suffered an unexpected defeat to Hull FC in the Challenge Cup Final and were edged out by the Bradford Bulls in the 2005 Grand Final. Smith signed a contract extension to the end of the 2006 season.
The Rhinos failed to win a trophy in the 2006 season, suffering defeat at the Semi-Final stage of the Challenge Cup and losing out to Warrington in week one of the play-offs.
However, in the 2006-2007 season, he managed to sign the Kiwi full-back of the year 2006 Brent Webb, and started the league campaign strongly. With great last gasp wins over the Bradford Bulls at both Odsall and in The Millenium Magic, and two victories over saints, Leeds finished 2nd. They narrowly lost in a brutal game 10-8 at Saints, but beat Wigan to ensure their place in the final. On the 13th October 2007, Leeds Rhinos beat Saint Helens 33-6 to become Super League champions, giving Tony Smith the perfect send off. Tony Smith worked wonders at Leeds Rhinos, and both the players and fans will greatly miss his presence
Great Britain
Smith has been announced as the successor Brian Noble to become the full-time coach of Great Britain. He will see out his Leeds contract until the end of the 2007 season and will combine the GB coaching role with that of performance director, heading up the Rugby Football League's technical department at Leeds Metropolitan University.
He won his first game for Great Britain against France. His next game was the first of three test matches against new zeland he won the first then won the second test. This means he has won the frontline test series and is also the best start for any Great Britain coach.