SMITH’S CHALLANGE CONTINUES
While rugby leaguers allow the realisation of Great Britain’s three-match whitewash over New Zealand - their first series win for 14 years - to sink in, Tony Smith’s work remains unfinished.
In a month Smith has taken Leeds Rhinos to Grand Final victory and orchestrated successive wins in his first four matches in full-time charge of Great Britain. With the Australian at the helm, England, following the disbandment of the Lions, have much to look forward to ahead of next October’s World Cup back in his homeland.
Through bold selection and professionalism Smith, 40, has successfully fused together youth with experience in his side. The choice of 18-year-old Sam Burgess - the youngest ever GB prop, and youngest debutant since Andy Farrell in 1993 - was testament to his innovation, but vindicated ultimately.
For Burgess, one of a number of young players blooded by Smith, his try-scoring debut in the opening 20-14 series victory was “the highlight of my career, and great in terms of experience.” Last weekend he helped the Lions seal the series with the 44-0 defeat of New Zealand, and already the improvement in the side was obvious.
“Having had a second week training together we coped better,” said the Bradford youngster, “but I’m sure we can even better that.” Ales were not swilled and the Champagne remained on ice. “There wasn’t much celebrating,” Burgess continued. “We were congratulated on clinching the series but we wanted to win the third Test.
“We’ve got a new coach, new staff and new players. But you’ve got to go out there and win, and we did that as a team. We’ve got a great camaraderie, a great team spirit, and Tony has brought a lot of self-discipline.”
In Saturday's final Test Smith switched a winning team so more players gained vital international experience. In preparation for next year the coach used 23 players in this series.
“I think we put out an equally strong squad,” Smith suggested. “What I’ve done is created a situation where we’ve got more depth. If I’d have had injuries, that could have been the team going into a final game of a deciding match of a series.
“I might have been forced to change the team around, so I’d rather find out how they cope now rather than in the World Cup stages.”
Smith’s foresight and objectivism is clear, however he still views the squad he will take to the World Cup as a work in progress.
He continued: “I’m privileged to be working with such a good group of players and there’s a few that haven’t made this squad that would do as well. There is more depth within the country to choose from - that’s helpful for the future.”
During the series Smith moved the squad from accommodation in Leeds, to Worsley and finally to Manchester, in order to simulate the journey they will have to contend with in Australia next year.
“We purposely moved the guys so they didn’t have a home base,” he said. “They have got to adapt to moving from different hotels and situations, and occupy themselves in a camp scenario at the World Cup. That’s been part of the test, and they have passed with flying colours.”
Though Smith will not see his full squad again until midway through next season’s Super League when England take on France, he plans to regularly visit his charges. The players will now break for six weeks before their pre-seasons start, but their international manager is not so lucky.
“I begin my role as RFL director now, and I will keep things ticking over,” he added. “So far it’s been a tremendous privilege but it’s been easy to get through it because I’m enjoying work and all the people that I work with. I can see the finish line and I’m looking forward to it.”
While rugby leaguers allow the realisation of Great Britain’s three-match whitewash over New Zealand - their first series win for 14 years - to sink in, Tony Smith’s work remains unfinished.
In a month Smith has taken Leeds Rhinos to Grand Final victory and orchestrated successive wins in his first four matches in full-time charge of Great Britain. With the Australian at the helm, England, following the disbandment of the Lions, have much to look forward to ahead of next October’s World Cup back in his homeland.
Through bold selection and professionalism Smith, 40, has successfully fused together youth with experience in his side. The choice of 18-year-old Sam Burgess - the youngest ever GB prop, and youngest debutant since Andy Farrell in 1993 - was testament to his innovation, but vindicated ultimately.
For Burgess, one of a number of young players blooded by Smith, his try-scoring debut in the opening 20-14 series victory was “the highlight of my career, and great in terms of experience.” Last weekend he helped the Lions seal the series with the 44-0 defeat of New Zealand, and already the improvement in the side was obvious.
“Having had a second week training together we coped better,” said the Bradford youngster, “but I’m sure we can even better that.” Ales were not swilled and the Champagne remained on ice. “There wasn’t much celebrating,” Burgess continued. “We were congratulated on clinching the series but we wanted to win the third Test.
“We’ve got a new coach, new staff and new players. But you’ve got to go out there and win, and we did that as a team. We’ve got a great camaraderie, a great team spirit, and Tony has brought a lot of self-discipline.”
In Saturday's final Test Smith switched a winning team so more players gained vital international experience. In preparation for next year the coach used 23 players in this series.
“I think we put out an equally strong squad,” Smith suggested. “What I’ve done is created a situation where we’ve got more depth. If I’d have had injuries, that could have been the team going into a final game of a deciding match of a series.
“I might have been forced to change the team around, so I’d rather find out how they cope now rather than in the World Cup stages.”
Smith’s foresight and objectivism is clear, however he still views the squad he will take to the World Cup as a work in progress.
He continued: “I’m privileged to be working with such a good group of players and there’s a few that haven’t made this squad that would do as well. There is more depth within the country to choose from - that’s helpful for the future.”
During the series Smith moved the squad from accommodation in Leeds, to Worsley and finally to Manchester, in order to simulate the journey they will have to contend with in Australia next year.
“We purposely moved the guys so they didn’t have a home base,” he said. “They have got to adapt to moving from different hotels and situations, and occupy themselves in a camp scenario at the World Cup. That’s been part of the test, and they have passed with flying colours.”
Though Smith will not see his full squad again until midway through next season’s Super League when England take on France, he plans to regularly visit his charges. The players will now break for six weeks before their pre-seasons start, but their international manager is not so lucky.
“I begin my role as RFL director now, and I will keep things ticking over,” he added. “So far it’s been a tremendous privilege but it’s been easy to get through it because I’m enjoying work and all the people that I work with. I can see the finish line and I’m looking forward to it.”
Labels: Australia, Great Britain, Lions, Rugby league, Rugby League World Cup, Sam Burgess, Tony Smith
