Former All Blacks coach Wayne Smith said on Tuesday he had rejected New Zealand Rugby Football Union (NZRFU) attempts to keep him at home in order to take on the Northampton coaching role in England.

Smith said when he failed to retain the All Blacks coaching job in September it was time to do something different in the short-term.

After a two-year stint which produced a mediocre return, Smith was replaced by former All Black and England assistant coach John Mitchell.

Smith was offered a possible return to the Crusaders or a management role by the NZRFU which was keen to keep him in New Zealand. "The facts are my family and I really wanted a change," he told Radio Sport on Tuesday.

"I wanted to coach the All Blacks but I didn't get it. I've got no ill feeling towards the NZRFU. They did quite a bit to try and keep me but it's a family decision and we just feel it's best for us to spend a couple of years over here."

Smith started his Northampton career in positive fashion when the struggling club beat Wasps 23-10 in his first game in charge. It was the second straight win for Northampton, who are ninth in the 12-team English premiership.

He said after spending the last five years with "pretty much the same people" the change of environment would act as a refresher and be good for him.

In response to claims that he was hard done by in not being reappointed for the All Blacks job, Smith said he felt he had been the right person for the job.

"I felt we were on track to the World Cup but other people didn't. It's one of those things. I'm not bitter and twisted about it. I still support the All Blacks and support John (Mitchell) so I'm just getting on with the rest of my life," he said. - Sapa