Wayne Smith (rugby player)

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Wayne Ross Smith (born 19 April 1957 in Putaruru, New Zealand) is a former rugby union footballer, and currently a rugby union coach. He is currently the backs coach for New Zealand's national rugby union team the All Blacks. He played provincial rugby for Canterbury and became an All Black in 1980. He played first five-eight, gaining 35 caps for the All Blacks, 17 of those Tests. His first major coaching position was for the Crusaders in the Super 12 in 1997. He coached them to two titles in 1998 and 1999 before being appointed All Blacks coach after the 1999 Rugby World Cup. After losing his position as head coach of the All Blacks in late 2001 he went to coach the Northampton Saints in England. He coached there until being appointed backs coach in early 2004 by current All Blacks coach Graham Henry.