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TONY SMITH, ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW!
By leedsrhinos.biz
October 24 2008
Tony Smith played rugby league with the Illawarra Steelers, where he made just 37 appearances yet scored 9 tries. Tony also played for the St. George Dragons where he played 28 games and took part in the Grand Final in 1992. He finished his playing career with a short spell with Workington in the Super League.

THIS IS ENGLAND. WE EXPECT.

UNOFFICIAL ENGLAND RUGBY LEAGUE LAUNCHING SOON ON SPORT NETWORK


Tony Smith played rugby league with the Illawarra Steelers, where he made just 37 appearances yet scored 9 tries. Tony also played for the St. George Dragons where he played 28 games and took part in the Grand Final in 1992. He finished his playing career with a short spell with Workington in the Super League.

Smith became a local hero at Huddersfield after leading the club back up from relegation. Leeds Rhinos were quick to appoint him head coach after his success.

Smith then became a hero at the Rhinos after leading them to their first Championship in 32 years, in his first season in charge. Tony then started the 05’ season off with a bang, as his side beat Canterbury Bulldogs in the World Club Challenge at a packed Elland Road, the home of Leeds United.

Later that year magic Tony Smith coached Leeds into yet another final, but failed to see off Hull FC in the Powergen Challenge Cup final in Cardiff. Leeds also made it into the Super League Grand Final that year, hoping to defend their engage Super League title, yet Bradford Bulls stole it from third.

To many Rhinos fans, 2006 was disappointing after finishing outside of the top two ,and then getting beaten in the open stages of the play-offs to the Warrington Wolves.

Things were beginning to look up for Smith at the start of the 2007 season as he managed to sign the Kiwi full-back, Brent Webb, who inspired New Zealand the previous year to win the Tri-Nations. The Rhinos then went on to take part in some memorable wins including the Millenium Magic weekend, when the Rhinos were behind with only a second to go. Kevin Sinfield kicked a penalty which hit the post, yet the ball was chased down by Jordan Tansey who crossed the line as the final hooter went.

Although Leeds only finished second, they managed to reach the final after narrowly loosing to St Helens, which meant the home team (St Helens) went straight on to the Grand Final at Old Trafford. Leeds still had a second chance, and Tony Smith pushed the side on to beat Wigan to get the send off he deserved.

But that wasn't enough for Tony Smith. The head coach and the players wanted more and after been written off by the press, Leeds Rhinos beat the favorites St Helens 33-6 to give Tony Smith the send off not even a top writer could have written.

Smith was appointed role as the Great Britain head coach in the middle of the season, and many Leeds fans were urging him to go straight away when assigned the job after a disappointing mid season blip, but Tony Smith worked wonders with the side and had real passion for the team he was coaching at the time.

Tony Smith’s Great Britain squad won all three games in the Gillette Fusion International Series against New Zealand.

Now it’s the turn of the World Cup in the international rugby league calendar. Great Britain has changed it’s name to England, and Tony Smith has an aim. He doesn’t want to just push Australia, he wants to surpass them.


LEEDSRHINOS.BIZ    THE TEMPORARY HOME OF ENGLAND RUGBY LEAGUE ON SPORTNETWORK


leedsrhinos.biz is now the temporary unofficial home of England Rugby League on Sport Network. The England website is currently undergoing maintenance, and should be back up shortly. But for now, all the latest England Rugby League news stories will be posted and uploaded on this website.

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