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Eels' surprise candidate
By Paul Kent
November 14, 2008 GREAT Britain coach Tony Smith has emerged as a shock candidate to take over at Parramatta.
Smith is prepared to step down from the role he took just 12 months ago as Great Britain's head coach if he is successful in getting the job at one of the NRL's premier clubs.
His emergence turns up the heat on favourite Daniel Anderson, who was considered over the line after meeting with the Eels board on Wednesday.
Smith has emerged a genuine threat when the Eels make their decision next week.
Parramatta chief executive Denis Fitzgerald was unavailable for comment on Thursday night after calls from The Daily Telegraph.
Smith's inclusion is such a shock he has until now failed to be mentioned whenever a shortlist has been discussed.
Despite his relatively new role with Great Britain, it is believed he is interested in returning to Australia if offered a head coaching role like the Parramatta job.
He is currently in Brisbane preparing England for Saturday night's World Cup semi-final against New Zealand, with the winner to play most likely Australia in the final.
His interest in the Parramatta job comes just two months after he was naturalised as a British citizen, which happened before former Eels coach Michael Hagan announced his decision to resign a year early.
Smith was appointed Great Britain coach after steering Super League club Leeds to the title in 2007, quitting to become fulltime national coach.
Ironically, Smith is the brother of former Eels coach Brian Smith, who spent 10 years with the Eels from 1997-2006.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,24649221-23214,00.html
By Paul Kent
November 14, 2008 GREAT Britain coach Tony Smith has emerged as a shock candidate to take over at Parramatta.
Smith is prepared to step down from the role he took just 12 months ago as Great Britain's head coach if he is successful in getting the job at one of the NRL's premier clubs.
His emergence turns up the heat on favourite Daniel Anderson, who was considered over the line after meeting with the Eels board on Wednesday.
Smith has emerged a genuine threat when the Eels make their decision next week.
Parramatta chief executive Denis Fitzgerald was unavailable for comment on Thursday night after calls from The Daily Telegraph.
Smith's inclusion is such a shock he has until now failed to be mentioned whenever a shortlist has been discussed.
Despite his relatively new role with Great Britain, it is believed he is interested in returning to Australia if offered a head coaching role like the Parramatta job.
He is currently in Brisbane preparing England for Saturday night's World Cup semi-final against New Zealand, with the winner to play most likely Australia in the final.
His interest in the Parramatta job comes just two months after he was naturalised as a British citizen, which happened before former Eels coach Michael Hagan announced his decision to resign a year early.
Smith was appointed Great Britain coach after steering Super League club Leeds to the title in 2007, quitting to become fulltime national coach.
Ironically, Smith is the brother of former Eels coach Brian Smith, who spent 10 years with the Eels from 1997-2006.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,24649221-23214,00.html
