Smith turns focus to GB success

Smith will soon be back in action as coach of Great Britain

Tony Smith aims to keep winning with Great Britain after finishing his Leeds coaching career with victory in Saturday's Super League Grand Final.
The Australian begins his reign as full-time GB coach with this month's Test series against New Zealand.

"I am really looking forward to keeping the British sport resurgence going," Smith told BBC Radio 5live.

"They have done a good job in catching up and overtaking a lot of nations and we want to keep that momentum going."

Smith finished his Headingley reign on a high with a comprehensive 33-6 victory over St Helens at Old Trafford, denying the Knowsley Road club a second successive clean sweep of domestic trophies.

But after the final GB Test on 10 November, he will become England coach for the 2008 World Cup in Australia and 2009 Tri-Nations.

And he was quick to pay tribute to his triumphant Leeds squad.

"The players worked hard and I am delighted for them because they put in a great effort and it was a great reward," he said.

"We had a great game with St Helens a couple of weeks ago, and there were some signs they were looking tired, so we had a lot of faith we were coming home strong.

"We have had some great tussles with them and each game we played was high-class so all credit to them - and also to my guys for having the faith they could do it again."

Leeds duo Keith Senior and Gareth Ellis, who will also be hoping to be part of the GB squad for the New Zealand games, paid tribute to the efforts of their departing coach.

"To win the Grand Final in your last game is a massive send-off and he thoroughly deserves it because he puts his heart and soul into the game," said Senior.

"Hopefully he can take his hard work into the international set-up and achieve the same success."

Ellis added: "He's the first there and the last to leave and he's got the Great Britain job as well.

"Talking to a few of the lads who have been training with Great Britain, they say he's been at every session as well, but we wouldn't have known that he'd had that responsibility because he's been there 100% for us.

"He's a great leader and his knowledge of the game is unbelievable. He has an answer for everything. He's just a fantastic bloke."