Smith tempted by second chance

WARRINGTON Wolves new coaching director Tony Smith, the England World Cup and former Leeds coach, revealed he turned down a chance to join the club prior to the appointment of Jimmy Lowes.
Smith, aged 42 and a proven winner at the highest level, was today unveiled by the club as the man they hope can at long last bring success to the playing field. He said he “felt the time is right” to get back into coaching a Super League club.
“I am delighted to be at Warrington and we only started talking about the possibility of me coming here at the weekend.
“This is a big club with a big future. I had been approached before the appointment of Jimmy Lowes but the timing wasn’t right and I had to say no.
“But after talking it through with my current employers I felt the time is now right.
“I am looking forward to working with Jimmy and I would like to applaud Warrington for not doing what a lot of clubs do and sack their Head Coach, sending them into the wilderness. I have worked with Jimmy in the Great Britain set up and he is a good coach with great potential.”
Meanwhile Lowes could not hide his disappointment at having to step down to be number two to Smith.
“It has been very tough and I am obviously very disappointed. I have had a good chat with Tony but it would appear I am not quite ready for the top job. The club has decided to bring in a vastly experienced coach and I am sure when things have settled down it will be a good partnership.
“I understood the consequences if things didn’t work out.”
The pair will be in joint charge for Sunday’s home game against Smith’s former club Leeds Rhinos.
Smith said he had been away from Leeds “long enough” not to have any emotional ties.
Lowes will have a major say in picking Sunday’s team although Smith planned to attend a training session later today.
“I trust Jimmy’s judgement – at this stage he knows the players better than me – but the results will be my responsibility.”
Chief Executive Andy Gatcliffe said the aim for Warrington was to bring success for their loyal fan base.
“In my eight years at the club there have been lots of ups and downs but there has always been a long term aim to bring sucess to the club.
“Tony Smith is well known and well respected in the Rugby League world. He has great experience and we believe he is the man who is going to take this club forward.
“I am delighted Jimmy is staying on as his right hand man. He is a tough character and I am confident they will forge a very strong partnership. I am hoping the fans will be on board with this and can see we are moving the club in the right direction.”
Lowes is currently under contract until November with Smith being handed a two-and-a-half year deal.
Gatcliffe said talks would take place with Lowes to review his contract situation.
Meanwhile Smith, who won Super League twice with Leeds in 2004 and 2007 and was runner up in 2005 when Leeds also lifted the World Club Challenge and reached the Challenge Cup Final, says he hopes to be able to retain the England job in a part-time capacity. He has stood down as RFL Technical Director with immediate affect.
Richard lewis, the RFL’s Executive Chairman said: “Tony indicated to us in January his desire to return to club coaching at the end of his contract which runs until the end of 2009.
“The only thing that has changed since January is the timetable with tony asking to be relieved of his duties as RFL Technical Director sooner rather than later.
“All parties are please Tony will remain as England National Coach on a part-time basis and we are confident he remains the right man to lead Enland into this autumn’s Four Nations tournament.
Pictures show Smith with Head Coach Jimmy Lowes and with the Wolves’ kit when he was unveiled to the media.