All Blacks: Welsh club look to poach Smith

Wayne Smith is being lined up to coach Welsh club Ospreys. Photo / Kenny Rodger

Wales rugby club Ospreys is looking at appointing All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith as its head coach.

Smith is in Ospreys' sights after they sacked Lyn Jones last season, following a five-year term which ended in the team being beaten by Saracens in the Heineken Cup quarterfinals.

It is understood the New Zealand-born elite performance director Andrew Hore is keen to chat to Smith, who arrives in Wales next week, with a view to him taking over immediately.

Smith has an excellent reputation in the United Kingdom after previous success with Northampton.

Smith signed a two year deal with the New Zealand Rugby Union along with Graham Henry and Steve Hansen after the Rugby World Cup last year.

- NEWSTALK ZB