Conor O’Shea Recruits One Of Best Rugby Coaches In The World To Assist Italy
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Legend.
Conor O’Shea has brought in former All Blacks, Crusaders and Chiefs coach Wayne Smith to assist in Italy’s preparations ahead of their summer internationals.
The Azzurri will play two Tests against Japan this summer and will be hoping to bounce back from a dismal Six Nations campaign and come away with a couple of huge wins against the Brave Blossoms on their home patch.
Smith, who played a key role in the All Blacks’ 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cup triumphs, has been spotted training with O’Shea’s men, and he’s been getting stuck in with preparations. Smith is currently unattached having ended a 20-year association with the All Blacks at the conclusion of the 2017 Rugby Championship in October.
He has previously said he is retired from full-time coaching, but could O’Shea convince him to stick around on a part-time basis? Either way any contribution he can make will be absolutely huge for Italy.
Wayne Smith has joined up with Italy. And he’s mucking in. These are all from yesterday (via @Federugby). pic.twitter.com/crTbAuw59W
— Charlie Morgan (@CharlieFelix) May 23, 2018