Rugby: Smith unlikely to coach Blues

Wayne Smith. Photo / Getty Images

It's neat timing in the extreme that the Blues are mulling a change of assistant coach just as Wayne Smith is looking for more hands-on work.

But despite their mutual needs, there is little prospect of Smith officially helping to steer next year's Super 15 campaign in Auckland.

The All Black assistant has been linked with a move to the Blues next year just as his fellow assistant Steve Hansen has been linked to the Highlanders. But while there is substance to the Hansen speculation, Smith says there is no plan for him to move north.

"I'll be doing the same job I have done every year since I have been coaching the All Blacks," he said. "I'll make myself available, helping the [Super 14] coaches where I can, making sure I'm communicating with the players and getting round all the franchises.

"I haven't even had a discussion with the Blues. I won't be coaching the Blues next year but philosophically I'm not opposed to it [All Black coaches coaching Super 14 teams]."

It might yet prove that while Smith doesn't take an official position with the Blues next year, he could spend more time there than he has in previous years or is currently planning.

It's understood that the recently completed review of the Blues' 2010 season highlighted issues with incumbent assistant Shane Howarth. It was announced yesterday that the position will be advertised, with Howarth able to re-apply.

The same review last year produced similar feedback that led to a fraught few weeks between chief executive Andy Dalton and head coach Pat Lam. A year ago, the board wanted to advertise for a new assistant coach but Lam, eventually, won out - arguing that if he was to be accountable for team performance, he must be free to work with assistants of his choice.

While Lam remains loyal to his long-time friend and assistant, he might not be able to save Howarth from his destiny this time.

Howarth will probably have to accept that if he stays on, the board will want someone, possibly Smith, to be in regular attendance to operate in a guiding, mentoring capacity.

Lam will be keen for the matter to be tidied up as he's trying to retain and attract players - all of which is difficult without certainty around the coaching structure.

Rudi Wulf, Anthony Tuitavake, Paul Williams, Tom Chamberlain and Viliame Ma'afu have all left from this season, but on the plus side Stephen Brett is believed to have signed with the franchise for another year - with the option to leave after next year's Super 15 if he still hasn't cracked the All Blacks.