The England head coach talks about Millennium Magic, the World Cup later this year and lack of Asian participation in the game.

Australian Tony Smith ended his club coaching career on a high as he led the Leeds Rhinos to victory in the 2007 Grand Final. He went on to take the England national team job on a full time basis

The open and honest gentleman took time out for a chat from his busy schedule at the Millennium Stadium.

How are you settling into you full time role as England rugby league coach and do you miss the day to day running of a club side? 

“No, I’m not missing the club coaching as I was well prepared to go into the role that I am in now. There isn’t a lot of coaching that I can do at the moment, until it comes round to the test series, however, there are many administrative roles that I can play within the rugby league.

My job is very busy with the technical side of the game giving support to people which has been a big part of my responsibility and so it is a change for me from club coaching.”

It’s the second Millennium Magic weekend here in Cardiff where all 12 Super League teams play fixtures over two days; do you think the event is a success in the rugby league calendar? 

“Yes I think it is terrific and certainly looks as successful or even more than last year. The occasion is growing and I hope that continues as I really think it’s a magic weekend, being about with people before the game in the stadium as there is a  pleasant atmosphere, a sort of carnival one, and so it has been great for all of us.”

After and eight year break, the World Cup will take place again in Australia this year. How are the preparations going and are you happy with everything so far? 

“Yes, we are making some really good progress ensuring that we have the right facilities for the players and the best travel package we could get when it comes round to it but we are also making sure we have the right information on how to overcome situations such as jet lag, sleeping patterns and dehydration when we travel to the other hemisphere.

We are doing as much homework as possible so that we’re not surprised by anything down there.”

It’s clear to see that since Ikram Butt, who used to play for London Broncos and Great Britain, no Asian player has made a breakthrough into the game. Out and about at any rugby league stadium, no Asian fans are in and amongst the crowd supporting their local team such as Bradford Bulls or Batley Bulldogs.

There is no Asian interest in the sport.

“I’m not sure that we have portrayed our game in the correct way in the past. We need to portray it in the right way to the wider community because it is a tremendous sport once you get an understanding of it and that is down to how we educated non-rugby league followers. I think that that is really important as we need to get out there and explain some of the rules, what the game is about and how much of it really is a family sport.

You just look at the atmosphere at any stadium to notice the difference between our sport and other sports as you can easily take your wife and children to a match as opposed to some other sports where you hear all sorts of language.

It just doesn’t happen at a rugby league game.”

Do you think that the RFL and the clubs are doing enough to break into the Asian community? 

“I’m not sure that enough is being done about this but I can’t say yes because people will say that enough isn’t being done and if I say no then it reflects badly on us.

I think that there is an effort to increase awareness to the Asian people, with good things going on in the Asian community and relationships being built them and the RFL but we would like to do a lot more and there is a willingness on that part from our side.

 It’s easier to be critical about these things but we have to be encouraged, we have to be happy with the work and effort being done from our perspective and from others as well.

And so, what needs to be done to promote the game in the Asian community?

“Evidently, more promotions certainly need to be done but also to give explanations to people about what the game is about.

Of course, I’m not the one that can solve all the problems as I don’t know exactly what is and isn’t being done but most of the time the problem is about the lack of understanding about the game. The more the people understand it, the more they can gain out of it.

 If we get out in all the communities, not just the Asian one, and explain about rugby league so that people understand it better, they will be able to see that it is a fantastic sport.”

Do you think it is down to the older generation of Asian people, the sort of culture that they were brought up in? 

“I think so and it’s about the rugby league game itself. Usually, if you have had some connection with the game then sons go on to play or watch. There are things that need to be done to attract people from outside our sport and get new people in which will be positive for us.

 I feel the Asian community would excel at the game as there are many aspects about them which would suit rugby league and so if we create more awareness we can achieve this.

“Unfortunately, I can’t as I’m totally impartial this year because if I gave an answer to that then I would be seen as favouring one team or another but the truth is that it is so difficult to choose a winner.

My old team Leeds Rhinos have had a tremendous start to the season but as I have learned about the sport, there can be so many twists and turns throughout the season. It remains to be seen who can stay fit and healthy in order to get the players on the field at the right time.

Everybody will have to stay tuned, keep watching, keep supporting each week and let’s see who wins it.

We'd like to thank Shamoon Hafez for his interview with the GB and ex-Rhino head coach. Please, leave feedback on this interview which we can to provide Shamoon.

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