Smith is set to part company with the All Blacks at the end of the year © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Wayne Smith

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Teams: Chiefs | New Zealand

All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith has signed a two-year contract with Super Rugby franchise the Chiefs.

The 54-year-old, who served as New Zealand's head coach between 1999-2001, joins the Hamilton-based side next year under new boss Dave Rennie and assistant coach Tom Coventry. Rennie is set to replace Ian Foster at the Chiefs' helm, who has held the role since 2004. The Chiefs finished last in the New Zealand Super conference this year, and 10th overall.

Smith said he was looking forward taking on a new role in rugby. "I know that the time is right to step down from my All Blacks role at the end of the year," he said today. "But I was keen to stay in New Zealand and keep contributing to New Zealand rugby and this gives me a fantastic chance to do that."

Rennie said Smith's experience was an important acquisition for the Chiefs. "Smithy is one of the best coaches in the world. While his role will primarily be around defence and counter-attack, his experience will be of huge benefit to our playing and coaching group as a whole."

NZRU CEO Steve Tew says Smith's signing was a huge plus for New Zealand rugby. "Smithy is a world-class coach with huge mana and not just within rugby circles. He is hugely respected, continues to be an inspirational influence for many rugby players and it is a huge plus to be keeping him in New Zealand."

Smith's involvement with the All Blacks began back in 1980 as a fly-half and he went on to play 17 Tests for New Zealand, collecting 35 caps in a five-year career. The Putaruru-born Smith coached the Crusaders in the Super 12 for the first time in 1997, collecting titles in 1998 and 1999 before being appointed All Blacks coach after the 1999 Rugby World Cup.

He stepped aside in 2001, coaching English side Northampton until 2004 when current All Blacks coach Graham Henry appointed him as backs coach. Henry has refused to be confirm reports that he will retire after the World Cup with current assistant Steve Hansen linked with a promotion to the top job.