Tony Smith (Australian rugby league coach)
Encyclopedia
Tony Smith is a British-Australian
professional rugby league football coach and former player. He is currently Head of Coaching at English Super League
club, Warrington Wolves
. He is the younger brother of fellow rugby league coach, Brian Smith
and uncle to Tongan national team
coach, Rohan Smith
.
In 2007, Smith was included in the Southstander.com Hall of Fame
.
, for whom he made 37 appearances and scored 9 tries, as well as the St. George Dragons
for whom he played 28 games under the coaching of his older brother Brian Smith
, including the 1992 Grand Final.
began by finishing his playing career in 1996 with a spell at Workington Town
in the inaugural Super League
season. His initial time at Workington was hampered by achilles
injury suffered two seasons previous, made all the worse by Workington's poor form which saw them relegated to National League One. He also notoriously lived above a Workington fish 'n' chip
shop with his wife, commentating "every morning I trudged to training and swore we'd never come back to this country."
club Huddersfield Giants
in September 2001. He first season in charge saw Huddersfield relegated to National League One, which consequently followed their dreadful start to the season losing 13 games in a row. A record number of consecutive defeats for a coach who held on to his job in British Rugby League
Conversely, Huddersfield returned to Super League the following year not losing a single game. This was culminated in their Grand Final defeat against Leigh
which secured the team's promotion.
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 in the Rugby League Challenge Cup
Final and were edged out by the Bradford Bulls
in the 2005 Grand Final. Smith was named super League coach of the year however and 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 Millennium 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 13 October 2007, Leeds Rhinos beat Saint Helens 33-6 to become Super League champions, giving Tony Smith the perfect send off.
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
.
His first game in charge of Great Britain was the victory over France. The 3-0 whitewash of New Zealand followed starting with a 20-14 victory at Huddersfield, a 44-0 thrashing of the Kiwis in the 2nd test at Hull and a final test win at the JJB by 28 points to 22. Leeds Rhino players contributed hugely to these victories including Captain Jamie Peacock
, half-backs Rob Burrow
and Danny Mcguire
, 2nd Row Gareth Ellis
and centre Keith Senior
. As this was the last test series as a Great Britain side on home soil. Smith will now lead the England side into the 2008 World Cup
. Only overseas touring sides will use the Great Britain name.
.
He has named his England training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup
.
He has named his England squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup
.
He has named his England
team to face Wales
at the Keepmoat Stadium prior to England's departure for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup
.
announced that Smith was to take over as their new Head Coach. Former coach James Lowes
, is set to continue his role at the club, assisting Smith. Smith will continue to coach England on a part time basis. His first game in charge of Warrington was a 14-20 defeat at home to former club Leeds Rhinos.
On 29 August 2009, he led Warrington to their first Challenge Cup
final since 1990, and ultimately the team's first final victory since 1974, beating his former club Huddersfield Giants
25-16 and on the 28 August 2010 he is ledding Warrington to their second Challenge Cup
against Smiths former club Leeds Rihinos.
Smith coached Warrington
to their 2010 Challenge Cup Final victory over the Leeds Rhinos
. and there are groups on Facebook about smith http://www.facebook.com/pages/Warrington/In-Tony-Smith-We-Trust/115982561765560?ref=sgm
Smith coached the Warrington Wolves
to their first League Leader's Shield
in the Super League
era in 2011 and the Wolves became the first team in 6 years to break 1,000 points scored during one season (the last team to do so being Smith's Leeds Rhinos
along with St. Helens and Bradford Bulls
in the same season).
Australians in Britain
Australians in the United Kingdom include Australians who have become residents or citizens of the United Kingdom, as well as the numerous students and temporary workers from Australia who live in the UK....
professional rugby league football coach and former player. He is currently Head of Coaching at English Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
club, Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
. He is the younger brother of fellow rugby league coach, Brian Smith
Brian Smith (rugby league)
Brian Smith is an Australian coach and former player of rugby league football. He is the current head coach at the Sydney Roosters of the NRL. Smith played for St. George and South Sydney Rabbitohs , appearing in a total of 31 first grade games...
and uncle to Tongan national team
Tonga national rugby league team
The Tonga national rugby league team is a national sporting side, representing Tonga in rugby league football. Rugby league is a popular sport in Tonga, and the national team has become one of the best performed nations in the world...
coach, Rohan Smith
Rohan Smith (rugby league)
Rohan Smith , is an Australian rugby league coach. He is the head coach of Tonga. He is assistant coach to his father Brian Smith at the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League....
.
In 2007, Smith was included in the Southstander.com Hall of Fame
Hall of Fame
A hall of fame, wall of fame, walk of fame, walk of stars or avenue of stars is a type of attraction established for any field of endeavor to honor individuals of noteworthy achievement in that field...
.
Career
Tony Smith played rugby league with the Illawarra SteelersIllawarra Steelers
The Illawarra Steelers are an Australian rugby league football club based in the city of Wollongong, New South Wales. The club competed in Australia's top-level Rugby League competition from 1982, when they, along with the Canberra Raiders, were admitted into the then New South Wales Rugby Football...
, for whom he made 37 appearances and scored 9 tries, as well as the St. George Dragons
St. George Dragons
The St George Dragons was an Australian Rugby league football club in St George, Sydney, New South Wales that played in Australia's top-level Rugby league competition from New South Wales Rugby Football League in 1921 until 1998; in 1999 they formed a joint venture with the Illawarra Steelers,...
for whom he played 28 games under the coaching of his older brother Brian Smith
Brian Smith (rugby league)
Brian Smith is an Australian coach and former player of rugby league football. He is the current head coach at the Sydney Roosters of the NRL. Smith played for St. George and South Sydney Rabbitohs , appearing in a total of 31 first grade games...
, including the 1992 Grand Final.
Workington Town
Tony Smith's involvement with British Rugby LeagueBritish rugby league system
The British rugby league system is based on four separate structures: the professional leagues administered by the Rugby Football League, the reserve leagues, the amateur leagues administered by British Amateur Rugby League Association and the Rugby League Conference.There is no system of automatic...
began by finishing his playing career in 1996 with a spell at Workington Town
Workington Town
Workington Town is a professional rugby league club playing in Workington in West Cumbria. They play in the Championship 1. Their stadium is called Derwent Park, which they share with Workington Comets, a speedway team....
in the inaugural Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
season. His initial time at Workington was hampered by achilles
Achilles
In Greek mythology, Achilles was a Greek hero of the Trojan War, the central character and the greatest warrior of Homer's Iliad.Plato named Achilles the handsomest of the heroes assembled against Troy....
injury suffered two seasons previous, made all the worse by Workington's poor form which saw them relegated to National League One. He also notoriously lived above a Workington fish 'n' chip
Fish and chips
Fish and chips is a popular take-away food in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Canada...
shop with his wife, commentating "every morning I trudged to training and swore we'd never come back to this country."
Huddersfield Giants
After returning home to Australia after finishing his playing career with Workington. Smith turned to coaching and applied for the job of Super LeagueSuper League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
club Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C....
in September 2001. He first season in charge saw Huddersfield relegated to National League One, which consequently followed their dreadful start to the season losing 13 games in a row. A record number of consecutive defeats for a coach who held on to his job in British Rugby League
British rugby league system
The British rugby league system is based on four separate structures: the professional leagues administered by the Rugby Football League, the reserve leagues, the amateur leagues administered by British Amateur Rugby League Association and the Rugby League Conference.There is no system of automatic...
Conversely, Huddersfield returned to Super League the following year not losing a single game. This was culminated in their Grand Final defeat against Leigh
Leigh Centurions
Leigh Centurions is an English professional rugby league club based in Leigh, Greater Manchester who play in the Co-operative Championship.The club was founded in 1878 as Leigh Rugby Football Club and is one of the original twenty-two clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in...
which secured the team's promotion.
Leeds Rhinos
The Australian was appointed by the Rhinos in a surprise move in November 2003 as the club decided to move incumbent Daryl PowellDaryl Powell
Daryl A. Powell is an English rugby league football coach and former player. He is the head coach of Featherstone Rovers Rugby League football club. He is a former /for Keighley Cougars, Sheffield Eagles and Leeds Rhinos...
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
Canterbury Bulldogs
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Belmore, a suburb in the Canterbury-Bankstown region of Sydney. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership, as well as New South Wales Rugby League junior competitions...
in the 2005 World Club Challenge
2005 World Club Challenge
The year 2005 Carnegie World Club Challenge was contested by Super League IX champions Leeds Rhinos and National Rugby League season 2004 premiers, the Bulldogs. The match was played on the 4th of February at Elland Road, Leeds before 37,208 spectators. Australian Sean Hampstead was the referee...
at Elland Road
Elland Road
Elland Road is an all-seater football stadium in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It has been the permanent residence of Leeds United A.F.C...
. Later that year they suffered an unexpected defeat to Hull in the Rugby League Challenge Cup
Challenge Cup
The Challenge Cup is a knockout cup competition for rugby league clubs organised by the Rugby Football League. Originally it was contested only by British teams but in recent years has been expanded to allow teams from France and Russia to take part....
Final and were edged out by the Bradford Bulls
Bradford Bulls
Bradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. They play in the European Super League and are currently joint 10th in the league....
in the 2005 Grand Final. Smith was named super League coach of the year however and signed a contract extension to the end of the 2006 season.
The Rhinos
Leeds Rhinos
Leeds Rhinos is an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club won the 2011 Super League and became the most successful club in the Super League era, beating St Helens 32-16 on 8th October 2011. Formed in 1890, Leeds competes in Europe's Super League...
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
Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
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
Brent Webb
Brent Webb is an Australian-born New Zealand rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Leeds in the Super League. Webb plays as a full-back and is a former New Zealand international.-Early years:...
, and started the league campaign strongly. With great last gasp wins over the Bradford Bulls at both Odsall and in The Millennium 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 13 October 2007, Leeds Rhinos beat Saint Helens 33-6 to become Super League champions, giving Tony Smith the perfect send off.
Great Britain
Smith has been announced as the successor Brian NobleBrian Noble (rugby league)
Brian 'Nobby' D. Noble is an English former rugby league footballer. Noble is also the former coach of the Great Britain National Rugby League team. He was also the captain of the 1984 Great Britain touring team to Australia...
to become the full-time coach of Great Britain
Great Britain national rugby league team
The Great Britain national rugby league team represents the United Kingdom in rugby league football. Administered by the Rugby Football League , the team is nicknamed "The Lions" or "Great Britain Lions"....
. 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
Leeds Metropolitan University
Leeds Metropolitan University is a British University with three campuses. Two are situated in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England while the third is situated in Bhopal, India...
.
His first game in charge of Great Britain was the victory over France. The 3-0 whitewash of New Zealand followed starting with a 20-14 victory at Huddersfield, a 44-0 thrashing of the Kiwis in the 2nd test at Hull and a final test win at the JJB by 28 points to 22. Leeds Rhino players contributed hugely to these victories including Captain Jamie Peacock
Jamie Peacock
James "Jamie" Peacock is an English professional rugby league footballer for the Leeds Rhinos of the European Super League...
, half-backs Rob Burrow
Rob Burrow
Rob Burrow is an English professional rugby league footballer with the Leeds Rhinos of Super League. He has represented both England and Great Britain as a hooker/half. He has spent his whole career to date at Leeds, having won the Super League championship with them five times...
and Danny Mcguire
Danny McGuire
Danny McGuire is an English professional rugby league player who currently plays for the Leeds Rhinos in the Super League. His preferred position is at /. He has played his entire career to date with the Rhinos, having come through the club's Academy....
, 2nd Row Gareth Ellis
Gareth Ellis
Gareth Ellis is an English professional rugby league footballer for the Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League . He has represented at international level for Great Britain and England and primarily plays in the back row...
and centre Keith Senior
Keith Senior
Keith Senior is an English professional rugby league or who most recently played for the Leeds Rhinos in Super League. He has won every honour in the English domestic game. He holds the record for the most Super League appearances & the most Super League tries...
. As this was the last test series as a Great Britain side on home soil. Smith will now lead the England side into the 2008 World Cup
2008 World Cup
2008 World Cup can refer to:*The 2008 Rugby League World Cup*The 2008 Alpine Skiing World Cup*The 2008 VIVA World Cup*The 2008 Speedway World Cup*FIFA Futsal World Cup 2008*FIFA Club World Cup 2008-See also:...
. Only overseas touring sides will use the Great Britain name.
England
Smith became a naturalized British citizen on 8 September 2008 at a ceremony in HuddersfieldHuddersfield
Huddersfield is a large market town within the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees, in West Yorkshire, England, situated halfway between Leeds and Manchester. It lies north of London, and south of Bradford, the nearest city....
.
He has named his England training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup
2008 Rugby League World Cup
The 2008 Rugby League World Cup was the thirteenth staging of the Rugby League World Cup since the inauguration of the tournament in 1954, and the first since the 2000 event...
.
He has named his England squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup
2008 Rugby League World Cup
The 2008 Rugby League World Cup was the thirteenth staging of the Rugby League World Cup since the inauguration of the tournament in 1954, and the first since the 2000 event...
.
He has named his England
England national rugby league team
The England national rugby league team represent England in international rugby league football tournaments. The team has now seen a revival, having largely formed from the Great Britain team, who also represented Wales, Scotland and Ireland. The team is run under the auspices of the Rugby Football...
team to face Wales
Wales national rugby league team
The Wales national rugby league team represent Wales in international rugby league football matches. Currently the team is seventh in the RLIF World Rankings. The team were run under the auspices of the Rugby Football League, but an independent body, Wales Rugby League, now runs the team from...
at the Keepmoat Stadium prior to England's departure for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup
2008 Rugby League World Cup
The 2008 Rugby League World Cup was the thirteenth staging of the Rugby League World Cup since the inauguration of the tournament in 1954, and the first since the 2000 event...
.
Warrington Wolves
On the 5th March 2009, Warrington WolvesWarrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
announced that Smith was to take over as their new Head Coach. Former coach James Lowes
James Lowes
James Lowes is a British former rugby league player and assistant coach for the Leeds Rhinos. He played for Hunslet Hawks and Leeds Rhinos, but his best years were with the Bradford Bulls, where he won many trophies...
, is set to continue his role at the club, assisting Smith. Smith will continue to coach England on a part time basis. His first game in charge of Warrington was a 14-20 defeat at home to former club Leeds Rhinos.
On 29 August 2009, he led Warrington to their first Challenge Cup
Challenge Cup
The Challenge Cup is a knockout cup competition for rugby league clubs organised by the Rugby Football League. Originally it was contested only by British teams but in recent years has been expanded to allow teams from France and Russia to take part....
final since 1990, and ultimately the team's first final victory since 1974, beating his former club Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C....
25-16 and on the 28 August 2010 he is ledding Warrington to their second Challenge Cup
Challenge Cup
The Challenge Cup is a knockout cup competition for rugby league clubs organised by the Rugby Football League. Originally it was contested only by British teams but in recent years has been expanded to allow teams from France and Russia to take part....
against Smiths former club Leeds Rihinos.
Smith coached Warrington
Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
to their 2010 Challenge Cup Final victory over the Leeds Rhinos
Leeds Rhinos
Leeds Rhinos is an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club won the 2011 Super League and became the most successful club in the Super League era, beating St Helens 32-16 on 8th October 2011. Formed in 1890, Leeds competes in Europe's Super League...
. and there are groups on Facebook about smith http://www.facebook.com/pages/Warrington/In-Tony-Smith-We-Trust/115982561765560?ref=sgm
Smith coached the Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
to their first League Leader's Shield
League Leader's Shield
The League Leader’s Shield, often called The Hubcap is a trophy awarded to the team finishing the season top of Super League in the sport of rugby league football. Currently the championship is decided on the basis of a play-off series, and the Shield is thus regarded as a lesser prize...
in the Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
era in 2011 and the Wolves became the first team in 6 years to break 1,000 points scored during one season (the last team to do so being Smith's Leeds Rhinos
Leeds Rhinos
Leeds Rhinos is an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club won the 2011 Super League and became the most successful club in the Super League era, beating St Helens 32-16 on 8th October 2011. Formed in 1890, Leeds competes in Europe's Super League...
along with St. Helens and Bradford Bulls
Bradford Bulls
Bradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. They play in the European Super League and are currently joint 10th in the league....
in the same season).