NRL coach Smith joins Brumbies
Veteran NRL coach Brian Smith has welcomed a new challenge in a different code after signing to assist Super Rugby’s Brumbies with their defence.
The move by Brumbies coach Jake White to hire Smith for the 2013 season follows his earlier attempt to get the part-time services of Newcastle skipper Danny Buderus which was blocked by the NRL.
Smith was out of work in the NRL after being axed by the Sydney Roosters following last season.
Smith will focus on improving the Brumbies’ defence and tackling techniques.
He joins White’s other assistants Laurie Fisher (forwards) and Steve Larkham (backs).
“I have only been down for the one session but I’m actually quite excited about the role now,” Smith told The Australian.
“It is something really different for me – all the players were really receptive and enthusiastic about the work we were doing so that was really encouraging.
“I’m at a point now where I am open to these sorts of opportunities.”
In a two-decade rugby league coaching career, Smith was at the helm at Illawarra, St George, Newcastle, Parramatta and the Roosters, but was unable to win a first-grade premiership.
© AAP 2013- Explore:
- Brian Smith, Brumbies
December 11th 2012 @ 12:31pm
Chris @ the Old Barbershop said | December 11th 2012 @ 12:31pm | Report comment
Don’t forget to pack an extra thick cardigan Mr Smith. You’re going to need it.
December 11th 2012 @ 1:48pm
allblackfan said | December 11th 2012 @ 1:48pm | Report comment
Extra thick hide as well given the Brumbies’ players record on coaches who displease them!!
December 11th 2012 @ 1:55pm
Crosscoder said | December 11th 2012 @ 1:55pm | Report comment
Good on Smith.He has finished at the NRL,found employment in another code.Rugby league fans will not get upset about the move.Buderus whilst emplyed by an NRL club, was a different kettle of fish.
December 11th 2012 @ 3:52pm
Ken said | December 11th 2012 @ 3:52pm | Report comment
Yeah it’s a good move for Smith. He’s unlikely to get another head gig at a NRL club and it would probably be hard to take an underling role in that environment considering he’s had 20-odd years in the top office. A move to Union let’s him use his skills and won’t hit the pride so hard.
December 11th 2012 @ 3:53pm
ThomasCrown said | December 11th 2012 @ 3:53pm | Report comment
If they keep poking at the hornets nest they might find themselves severely stung one day. I always thought the Brumbies had to be careful who they recruit from the NRL after Bedsy and i think they done well with Smith. The NRL are very paranoid atm with the AFL wars and we will see if they have seen the Folau move as an act of war.
December 11th 2012 @ 4:15pm
Ryanno said | December 11th 2012 @ 4:15pm | Report comment
Do you think anyone at the ARU cares if the NRL thinks it’s an act of war. The NRL should be wary of the IRB and what they are capable of if they choose to get involved in the “war”.
December 11th 2012 @ 5:52pm
ThomasCrown said | December 11th 2012 @ 5:52pm | Report comment
Tell me what IRB can do? Seriously i wanna know. Unless they are willing to match the sort of cash the NRL pull in, im sure there isnt much more they can do.
December 11th 2012 @ 8:56pm
Ryanno said | December 11th 2012 @ 8:56pm | Report comment
You’ve hit the nail on the head. If it came down to who has the deepest pockets and the most resources worldwide then then it would only be a matter of time if the IRB decided to take on the NRL but I doubt they care enough.
December 11th 2012 @ 10:38pm
ThomasCrown said | December 11th 2012 @ 10:38pm | Report comment
They will never take the NRL on with a cash war because they will have every other nation puttting out there hands. The IRB might have more money but once divided among all its many nations, it will come short compared to the NRL. If the ARU dont care about the NRL using its 100million dedicated on growing the game against them as u suggest, Rugby in Aus is about to become alot worst off than it is now. The
December 11th 2012 @ 11:01pm
Ryanno said | December 11th 2012 @ 11:01pm | Report comment
Do me a favour and let me know when that’s going to start. At the moment Rugby is in better shape than ever and as we all know there is still plenty that can be done to improve it. If the Tahs and Wallaby performances return to a more entertaining style then imagine what the numbers will do
http://www.rugby.com.au/News/NewsArticle/tabid/1699/ArticleID/8148/Default.aspx
December 12th 2012 @ 5:38pm
Denby said | December 12th 2012 @ 5:38pm | Report comment
I love a good flame war!
fight fight fight fight
December 11th 2012 @ 4:18pm
Pot Stirrer said | December 11th 2012 @ 4:18pm | Report comment
Given the Roosters performances over the last 2 seasons i dont think defense is one of his stronger attributes.
December 11th 2012 @ 4:22pm
formeropenside said | December 11th 2012 @ 4:22pm | Report comment
well hopefuly he can bring that failing to the Brumbies also – most boring rugby going around in 2012, at least until the Wallabies started up
December 11th 2012 @ 5:14pm
Rob from Brumby Country said | December 11th 2012 @ 5:14pm | Report comment
As long as we’re not conceding 40+ points to the Force, ‘boring’ is fine with me
December 12th 2012 @ 7:36am
Justin2 said | December 12th 2012 @ 7:36am | Report comment
Touché
December 12th 2012 @ 10:06am
Chris said | December 12th 2012 @ 10:06am | Report comment
Doesn’t say much for whoever you support then, given the Brumbies scored the most tries of any Aussie team.
December 11th 2012 @ 4:21pm
boonzie said | December 11th 2012 @ 4:21pm | Report comment
oh dear… the kiss of death is moving to the ACT…
December 11th 2012 @ 4:23pm
Blinky Bill of Bellingen said | December 11th 2012 @ 4:23pm | Report comment
Why the obsession with NRL advisors & coaches?
Surely we have Rugby Union guys that are bright enough to understand & dissect defenses and implement them. Or is NRL simply light years ahead?
December 11th 2012 @ 10:52pm
PeterK said | December 11th 2012 @ 10:52pm | Report comment
I would say its a good move.
Not that defense or tackling or systems are better in the NRL.
However getting a new perspective, a different set of eyes is very useful.
It challenges the existing way of doing things, you can take whats appropriate and improve.
December 12th 2012 @ 7:23am
Blinky Bill of Bellingen said | December 12th 2012 @ 7:23am | Report comment
PeterK – A ‘good move’? You may well be right. The proof of the pudding will be in the eating.
It seems to me though with so few tries currently being scored that defense isn’t the priority. Perhaps the better investment would in an attack coach.
December 12th 2012 @ 5:31pm
PeterK said | December 12th 2012 @ 5:31pm | Report comment
agree however every team needs a defensive coach and Smith by be really cheap.
December 12th 2012 @ 5:32pm
PeterK said | December 12th 2012 @ 5:32pm | Report comment
also White’s teams are more renowned for defence than attack, so this is true to form.
December 12th 2012 @ 5:33pm
PeterK said | December 12th 2012 @ 5:33pm | Report comment
also all of white’s teams are renowned for defence rather than attack, so true to form
December 11th 2012 @ 6:12pm
Chris of Vic said | December 11th 2012 @ 6:12pm | Report comment
Oh dear, I think I can hear Campo from here, I’m guessing inspiration for another anti league article
Funny though, by all accounts Saffa’s hardly know what Rugby League is, yet here is Jake White after only two years in country acknowleding what Campo and others can’t: the two games are still relatd closely enough to be able to share skills and tactics, particularly defence. Rugby League appears to have a lot to offer RU, I assume that the reverse is also true. More power to Jake, we should be working towards assisting each other, not trying to distance ourselves further.
December 12th 2012 @ 7:31am
Train Without A Station said | December 12th 2012 @ 7:31am | Report comment
Mate Rugby has been hiring ex-league players as defence coaches for years. Less Kiss and Phil Blake are two examples. I think Muggleton hay have also been an ex-mungo.
December 12th 2012 @ 10:44am
Chris of Vic said | December 12th 2012 @ 10:44am | Report comment
Yeah I know TWAS, I just thought it a little ironic that just when a few are getting overly vocal about needing to remove Leaguies and their ‘overt’ and ‘detrimental influence on the game
that an outsider thinks there is plenty that RL can offer.
December 11th 2012 @ 6:44pm
Billy Bob said | December 11th 2012 @ 6:44pm | Report comment
I am only guessing Blinky but 20 years of professional coaching experience may be the sort of thing found in the NRL.
Btw we haven’t forgotten that the Wallabies last golden era had a league defence coach as a plank in the platform.
Btw, I think the future will look at every code incl NRL. to find attack moves designed to crack watertight defences.
Maybe Smith is there for attack advice as well as defence?
You heard it here first.
December 12th 2012 @ 7:31am
Blinky Bill of Bellingen said | December 12th 2012 @ 7:31am | Report comment
Gidday Billy Bob.
As they say great minds think alike. I’ve just commented above to PeterK on that very aspect of attack.
And I agree with you on looking at every code in the future. As crazy as it sounds, I’d extend that search to other sports such as Hockey, Basketball, Gridiron (sp?) or what ever just looking for an advantage in tactics, strategies, training methods, etc.
But since we still struggle to catch the high ball & have AFL coaches right on our doorstep, I won’t be holding my breath on too many initiatives.
December 12th 2012 @ 9:40am
GWS said | December 12th 2012 @ 9:40am | Report comment
They have bernie coaching their backs. Nuff said