Episode 5 (S2): A life in rugby with the Professor Wayne Smith

Wayne Smith joins the All Black podcast down the road from his home at Waihi Athletic Rugby Club. 

Wayne discusses some of the highlights of his playing and coaching career spanning 1980 through to winning the Women's World Cup in 2022 at Eden Park. Wayne talks about the series of events that saw him leave his beloved Waikato region to have a crack in Canterbury and be involved in iconic matches like the Canterbury v Auckland Ranfurly Shield match in 1985 in front of 50,000 fans. 

He talks about his highlights playing in the All Black jersey, some of the great players he marked like Mark Ella and Michael Lynagh as well as his most memorable matches and why. 

Wayne discusses his time in coaching. His first experiences as a player/coach in Italy while not speaking the language through to his Emotions in the Coaching box in 2011. 

Smithy discusses taking over the Black Ferns only 6 months out from a home World Cup and how he was able to build an environment and team that went on to win the tournament in fairy tale like circumstances. 

Finally, Wayne speaks about the state of the game and the upcoming Rugby World Cup in France in September. Enjoy the pod with one of the absolute greats of the game. 

The All Blacks Podcast powered by SAP is hosted by Rob Dunne.