Wayne Smith returns to New Zealand backroom staff

Wellington: Wayne Smith, who was part of the coaching team that guided New Zealand to their World Cup win in 2011, will return to Steve Hansen’s staff next year to help prepare the All Blacks for their title defence in England.

Smith, 57, will take the role of defence coach and work with Ian Foster, forwards coach Mike Cron and skills coach Mick Byrne under head coach Hansen, who took over from Graham Henry after the 2011 triumph on home soil.

“He is one of the most astute rugby coaches in world rugby and, having worked with him in the past, we know just how valuable he is to any team he is involved in,” Hansen said in a team news release.