NRL: Wayne Smith lined up by Warriors

All Black assistant coach Wayne Smith is being lined up by the Warriors. Photo / Dean Purcell

All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith is one of the names in the mix to take on a mentoring role at the Warriors, principally to assist head coach Andrew McFadden.

McFadden confirmed to Newstalk ZB that Smith, long considered one of the best tactical brains in rugby, had been the subject of discussions at Warriors HQ after their dreadful finish to this year's NRL season that saw eight consecutive defeats.

"It definitely doesn't have to be a rugby league person [and] I know that Wayne Smith's name has been brought up," said McFadden, on the subject of possible mentors. "It is not confined to league. It just has to be someone who has been at the top level for a long time and really understands coaching and understands team sport."

Nicknamed 'The Professor', Smith certainly fits that bill. He coached the All Blacks in 2000 and 2001, then spent eight years as Graham Henry's assistant, a period that culminated with the 2011 Rugby World Cup triumph.

Smith then moved to the Chiefs, one of the key architects in their back-to-back Super Rugby titles in 2012 and 2013. Steve Hansen brought him back into the All Blacks environment this season, as defence and counter-attack coach, and he was also touted as a potential ally for Sir John Kirwan at the Blues in 2016 before Kirwan's demise.

Despite his lifelong association with rugby, Smith is also a keen league fan and a regular watcher of the NRL.

"I haven't met Wayne before but I have heard nothing but good things about him," said McFadden. "I think it's good for me to have someone to bounce ideas off, and I know that has been a structure that has been used in other clubs in the past. It has to be the right person and someone I feel comfortable with."

If Smith did link with the Warriors, it wouldn't preclude any rugby roles. The advisory position at the Mt Smart club would be part time.

"It will be just a consultancy role," said McFadden. "It's not going to be a fulltime role or an overseeing role in the organisation."

It's unsure what Smith's plans are for 2016, but earlier this year he hinted he would take a "coach's sabbatical".

"I doubt if I'd enter anything that over-commits me in 2016," he told Fairfax media in May. "I'm hugely excited about this year with the All Blacks and next year I'll be looking to pull back a bit. I've been looking for an extended break from the game for a while, and that's part of the plan next year. A coach's sabbatical."