Wayne Smith to return to the All Blacks coaching staff for the 2015 season

One of world rugby’s leading coaches, Wayne Smith, is to return to the All Blacks coaching staff for the 2015 season, it was announced today.

Smith, who was part of the All Blacks coaching staff from 2004 through to the team’s victory at Rugby World Cup 2011, and a Chiefs Assistant Coach from 2012-2014, will come in as a specialist defence coach and joins the coaching team of Head Coach Steve Hansen, Assistant Coach Ian Foster and fellow specialist coaches Mike Cron (forwards) and Mick Byrne (skills).

Born in the Waikato town of Putaruru, 57-year-old Wayne Smith CNZM played 35 games and 17 Tests for the All Blacks between 1980 and 1985 before embarking on his successful coaching career.

He coached the Crusaders to back-to-back Super Rugby victories in 1998 and 1999 (alongside Steve Hansen) and was a technical advisor to the All Blacks in 1998-1999 before taking over the top job for the following two seasons.

He spent three seasons with English club Northampton from 2001 to 2004 before re-joining the All Blacks coaching set up alongside Sir Graham Henry and Hansen.

Smith helped coach the All Blacks to Rugby World Cup victory in 2011 before joining the Chiefs coaching set up under Head Coach Dave Rennie helping the team to back-to-back Super Rugby victories in 2012 and 2013.