New Zealand Rugby
Smith committed to Chiefs
ESPN Staff
August 11, 2012
Chiefs fly-half Aaron Cruden celebrates victory with coach Wayne Smith and Tanerau Latimer, Chiefs v Sharks, Super Rugby Final, Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, New Zealand, August 4, 2012
Wayne Smith followed World Cup success with a Super Rugby triumph © Getty Images
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Wayne Smith has reiterated his commitment to New Zealand rugby amid further interest in his services - this time from the Waratahs.

The in-demand Chiefs assistant coach rejected the opportunity to join the England coaching set-up over the summer, opting to remain stay with the Chiefs who went on to win the Super Rugby competition this season. England are reportedly set to appoint Mike Catt as a skills coach instead of the New Zealander and any hopes that Smith would make a u-turn are over.

The 55-year-old, who was part of New Zealand's World Cup winning coaching team, has a two-year contract with the Chiefs and has confirmed his commitment to the Super Rugby franchise by rebuffing an approach from the Waratahs who have lost coach Michael Foley to the Western Force.

"I've now given a verbal agreement to the New Zealand Rugby Union that I'll be staying," Smith told the Sydney Morning Herald. "I'm not on the market. I had an approach from my agent, who said (the Waratahs) had contacted him. But he knew I'd made a verbal agreement to New Zealand, so there was no further discussion."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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