Smith: I'll coach again
July 2, 2001

Former Wallaby coach Greg Smith wants to continue coaching after ending his association with Fiji's national team.

Smith has returned home keen to start afresh, and angered and upset by reports from Fiji that he was axed as Fiji's coach.

Upon arrival he was anxious to set the record straight. "I can tell you one thing - I was not sacked. I resigned," Smith said on Monday. "I just had a difference of opinion with the Fijian Rugby Union on how the national team should be run and, in the end, it was probably time for me to move on, I thought.

"All this other stuff is just absolute garbage. I don't have a problem. It was settled amicably with the Fijian Rugby Union."

Smith defended his record with Fiji, where he succeeded former All Black Brad Johnstone as coach of the Pacific team. He said one newspaper report in Fiji attacked his credibility as a coach and talked about a dismal record. "Well, my record over there was seven wins out of 10 Tests. So if that's dismal, there's a lot of dismal people in our society," he said.

Fijian Rugby Union chief executive Bob Challenor also denied Smith was sacked.

Smith will consider any coaching offers, but said he didn't necessarily plan to stay in Australia. "I'd love to coach. I'm looking to coach again," he said. "My record with the Wallabies was 27 played, 20 won. My record speaks for itself." - Sapa

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