Known as a controversial coach in his time in the NRL, 63-year-old Smith is being sought to give much needed technical assistance to the New Zealand Rugby League World Cup campaign.
Head coach David Kidwell has said that he needs more experience alongside him in the coaches box and Smith brings a wealth of it.
While not always a popular figure at previous clubs, Smith has certainly made an impact. Since beginning with the Illawarra Steelers in 1984, Smith went on to mentor St George, Parramatta, Newcastle and the Sydney Roosters in a combined 582 first grade matches.
Smith was awarded the Dally M Coach of the Year in 2010 after guiding the Roosters to the grand final. He also made the grand final with the Dragons in 1992 and 1993, and with the Eels in 2001.
He is a specialist technical analyst of the game, having previously been compared to another brilliant rugby league mind in Warren Ryan. Ryan was revolutionary in many modes of his coaching and like Smith he too courted controversy with various methods. Some of his ideas were right outside the square, which became hallmarks of both men’s careers.
On-going negotiations are expected to be completed soon.
The NZRL are also still looking to add an assistant coach, with the World Cup getting closer by the day making the preparation for this prestigious event less than ideal. The Kiwis, who have been down on form in recent years, will seek to repeat their success of 2008 where they shocked Australia at Suncorp Stadium to take out their first ever world cup victory.
What do you think, Roarers? Will Brian Smith be a good addition to the Kiwis just like Wayne Bennett was in 2008? Or will Smith have the same bad luck that saw him go 0-4 in grand finals?
Republican
Guest
.......compared to us they are not cake. NZ womens 7's have had very little trouble in disposing of us since our fluke Olympic triumph while the mens side have never had much trouble v us over many many years of contests...........
Republican
Guest
......you mean Soccer. Well the contests have been very close unlike their dominance over us in say Union and that they can compete with us in Soccer given the codes grass roots numbers here, is a testament to their prowess over us in this and indeed across all sporting codes..........
Republican
Guest
......yeah but thats more about money than it is sporting prowess in my opinion. I dont believe we even contemplate entering this farce of a sailing race anymore. The Melbourne Cup is interesting these days as well, if you consider The Sport of Kings a sport at all; last Cup there was not one Aussie horse represented in the field and this is set to continue while NZ nags manage to make the cut........
Republican
Guest
......ahead in world rankings in T20, our equal if not better in ODI and not far behind in Test Cricket.........
terrence
Guest
Enluss Brien Smuth guts all their Keewee players mobile phone nimbars broh and starts taxteng thum ill night hey about whet thay should do hey and stuff their minds up hey...
E-Meter
Guest
Cricket really? Got comprehensively flogged in the world cup final in 2015. Have won 1 test against Australia since 1993. Football - 2 wins against Australia since 1989.
Kiwibear
Guest
Republican ....gee must be a different nz rugby 7s the current team are cake
Percycutor
Roar Pro
Their have been a couple of coaches decline NZRL offers for assistant roles Cleary, Paul Green to name two. Someone like Smith would add value and hopefully ensure Samoa, Tonga or Scotland don't beat the KIWIS at home. Otherwise last years results could be a pointer to what's ahead.
Percycutor
Roar Pro
Yes spot on, he bought in new ways of innovative thinking but was known to play mind games with his players and over complicate other various aspects losing valued support at certain clubs. But as a short term tactician the KIWIS might be on to something good here.
Percycutor
Roar Pro
The Wok! He will be 76 years old later this year so maybe between cups of tea he could still help out! Has kept a low profile since 2014
TigerMike
Guest
Why not add Wozza Ryan as well? Where's he at these days
Matt H
Roar Guru
On Brian Smith, he often seemed to come in and make a significant positive difference early on, and then have results and morale fall away over time. So for a short tournament he might actually be very effective.
Matt H
Roar Guru
7 races to 1, no less. Even the most rabid of us Aussies would have to admit that the Kiwis are punching hard above their weight at the moment. And Republican, the case is well made without having to resort to hyperbole, such the Kiwis being our equal in all forms of cricket. The rest I can live with.
Albo
Guest
And they just won the Americas Cup again !!!
maximillian
Roar Rookie
100% agree. The Kiwis need all these experienced technical coaches to cover for Kidwells shortfalls. It was obvious last year that he was out of his depth. The Kiwis should bite the bullet & give the head job to Smith.
Republican
Guest
.......as is always the way, NZ capitalise on Aussie nouse, resources, et el, across the sporting landscape. They have managed to dominate or at least match us in most sports today. NZ women look like they could topple us in the WC Cricket and the World League Hockey. They will definitely win the WC in Union, in both women and mens as well as sevens. They could well defeat us in the WC Netball while they are certainly a threat in the WC Rugby League, a code not really of much consequence across the ditch. They also hold the WC Lifesaving Championship three years on the trot, they dominate us in rowing and are our equal in Soccer, Basketball and all versions of Cricket & so on it goes. NZ population 5mill, Australia 24mill.........
E-Meter
Guest
They are better off giving Smith the actual coaching role.
Republican
Guest
.......The Kiwis will win the WC me thinks especially givenThurston's career ending injury. This is the one they have been planning for so all previous results count for little, as they put all their resources and energy into defeating an expected, complacent Kangaroos........