Vote of confidence for Smith

Smith: vote of confidence

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Coach Tony Smith has been assured that his job is not under threat despite England's disastrous World Cup campaign.

Smith's men crashed out of the tournament at the semi-final stage on Saturday after being beaten 32-22 by New Zealand in Brisbane.

The defeat, their third in a row, means England won only one match at the tournament and that a rather unconvincing 32-22 triumph over minnows Papua New Guinea.

England's poor showing has already led to questions about Smith's position, but the Australian has been given a vote of confidence by his bosses.

When asked whether Smith's job was under threat, Rugby Football League executive chairman Richard Lewis stated: "No, not at all.

"He has a huge role to play in the debrief and review of what's happened here - and he has a huge role to play in setting the record straight when we have a Four Nations in the northern hemisphere in 2009.

"He's an outstanding coach and he's respected right through the sport. I respect him hugely as a coach but also as a person. I think he's got a huge role to play in the future of the sport."

Committed

Smith himself claimed he had no intention of stepping down and insisted he was still very much committed to the cause.

"Coaches like challenges," he declared. "Coaches have to be tough and learn from each game. They don't go running away very often."

However, the former Leeds Rhinos chief admitted his side had failed to produce their best in Australia and acknowledged the nature of their exit had left the party very low.

"We're all a bit shattered at the moment. It's tough. We haven't done as well as we wanted to - and that's disappointing," he added.

"I don't think we've produced some of what we can play in England, and that's the disappointing thing.

"We wanted to move up the rankings and we've probably stayed where we are. The Kiwis were good enough to get us and they deserve to stay number two.

"We felt we could come over and win it. Even right up until the last minute or two, the players and myself still felt that way."

Defiant

However, a defiant Smith did go on to claim that his plans had been affected by injuries to key men.

"I would love to have had Sam Burgess for you guys to see - but it wasn't to be, Garreth Carvell is a terrific player - and so are (Gareth) Raynor and Sean O'Loughlin - but we've all got those tales.

"I had the team that I had and I'm proud of them. They tried their hardest, and that's all I can ask for."