Smith - Johnson won't fail

Smith: Backing Johnson

He has got a huge heart and a lot of what we call 'mana' - spirit and respect. Because of that you can only think it will come right for him

Wayne Smith
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New Zealand assistant coach Wayne Smith has insists that Martin Johnson has too much "mana" to fail as England manager.

England's patchy performance in the autumn internationals has heaped further pressure on Johnson, who took over the job last November.

The World Cup-winning captain's lack of management or coaching experience has been thrust under the spotlight following a defeat by Australia and a turgid victory over an understrength Argentina side.

Johnson's predicament is expected to deepen further still with the arrival of the All Blacks at Twickenham, but former Northampton head coach Smith is adamant that his rival has too many virtues to allow him to fail.

Regal

"When I was over here, Martin was pretty regal," said Smith.

"He has got a huge heart and a lot of what we call 'mana' - spirit and respect. Because of that you can only think it will come right for him.

"Being a great player does not always translate to being a good manager but the qualities and values of a person does.

"He has got to transfer his skills and learn from experience, but that process is hard to accelerate. He is a quality person with great values and if I was a betting man, he would be the one I would back. I believe he will be successful."

Smith actually believes Johnson should be hailed for putting his reputation on the line to manage a far less dynamic squad than the one that lifted the World Cup six years ago.

"If you love your country and you love the team that you have given so much of your life towards and you are asked to do it then that is what you do," he added.

"It doesn't come down to personal egos. He has enhanced his reputation by putting himself on the line."

Must-win mentality

Smith also commented that even the southern hemisphere teams have been affected by a European must-win mentality that is producing a poor standard of rugby across the board.

"If you ask the people that fill the Premiership grounds and go and are filling the grounds in Italy you would say the tribal nature of it is as important as the spectacle," he said.

"The style England play is a result of the pressure they are under - there is a lot of pressure to survive in the Premiership and get into Europe, which is a gravy train.

"They don't want to lose rather than going out to win."