Wayne Smith is back with the All Blacks © Getty Images

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Wayne Smith has rejoined the All Blacks coaching team for 2015 and will help them in their World Cup defence.

Smith comes in as a specialist defence coach and will link-up with head coach Steve Hansen, assistant coach Ian Foster and fellow specialist coaches Mike Cron (forwards) and Mick Byrne (skills). It is Smith's second spell with the All Blacks having worked under Graham Henry from 2004 through to 2011 and current coach Hansen was delighted to have him back in the New Zealand set-up.

"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. "'Smithy' will add another dimension to what is already a strong coaching group in what will be a big year for us. We look forward to welcoming him back into the fold.

"Smithy's role will be purely around defence, but as we do with all our coaches we will tap into his vast knowledge of other areas of the game."

Smith worked with the Chiefs from 2011 through to 2014 and helped lead them to back-to-back Super Rugby titles and he is looking forward to returning to the All Blacks.

"When I was asked to be involved in the All Blacks again for 2015, it was a case of checking whether I had the support of my family, which I did," Smith said. "I also spoke to some of the senior players in the team and everyone was incredibly supportive. I care deeply about the All Blacks, I'm excited to be back and looking forward to getting stuck into next year."

Smith will be stepping down from an official coaching role with the Chiefs, but will still work from the team's base and continue to do on-field coaching once a week to keep his coaching hand in. He will also be working with all five of New Zealand's Super Rugby teams during the season in his All Blacks capacity.

Chiefs CEO Andrew Flexman said: "Wayne is a highly respected and knowledgeable man. He is an extremely talented coach and mentor so it is easy to see why the All Blacks want him involved in their environment for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

"As a rugby club, the Chiefs are committed to providing as much support as possible to the All Blacks in their quest to win back-to-back World Cups, so we support Wayne 100 percent in his decision to assist the All Blacks and appreciate the massive contribution he has made to the Chiefs."