Linking Smith to Eels “smacks of disruption”

First England were accused of playing mind games by failing to confirm their Rugby League World Cup semi-final team.

Now the Poms have pointed the finger at the Australian media for a “dirty tricks” campaign on the eve of their semi-final against New Zealand at Brisbane.

England believe a News Limited report today linking national coach Tony Smith with the vacant Parramatta job in the NRL is a ploy to upset their Cup preparation.

“This smacks of disruption,” an English spokesman said.

Smith was not available for comment today after surprisingly snubbing the media before their crucial clash at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.

But the spokesman said Smith insisted he had not expressed interest in the Eels job or even contacted the NRL club.

Certainly, it was news to Eels boss Denis Fitzgerald.

“The first I heard of this was on your radio reports this morning,” Fitzgerald told Macquarie National News today.

A decision on a replacement for outgoing Eels coach Michael Hagan is expected to be made in the coming weeks.

Former New Zealand and St Helens coach Daniel Anderson had been tipped to receive the nod.

Eels prop and New Zealand captain Nathan Cayless expressed surprise when told Smith had been named as a Parramatta coaching candidate.

“Has he? I have had a chat with the boys back home but I haven’t gone too much into it,” he said.

Smith was appointed Great Britain coach 18 months ago and even took up British citizenship recently.

He is a fulltime national coach and has 12 months left on his contract.

Smith had worked as an assistant on the Eels staff - under his older brother Brian - before moving to England to make his senior coaching debut for Super League club Huddersfield in 2001.

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