Offiah backs Smith appointment

12 April 2012

Martin Offiah has accused his former Great Britain team-mate Garry Schofield of "small-mindedness" following his bitter attack on new Lions coach Tony Smith.

Smith's appointment was greeted with fierce criticism from former Lions captains Alex Murphy and Schofield, who claimed the move "is a disaster from the British point of view."

But former Wigan and Lions legend Offiah, who scored 26 tries in 33 games for Great Britain, said: "It's all very well waving the flag but that's a parochial and small-minded view. It's no wonder rugby league is the game it is when you've got such narrow-minded views as that."

He added: "Garry Schofield can say that we should only appoint a British coach - but it's a luxury that we cannot afford.

"We need to get the best man for the job. How many British coaches have actually won anything, apart from Brian Noble?

"Tony Smith came into this country and gave Leeds their first title in 32 years and could quite possibly do a good job for Great Britain.

"I know we had a great win against Australia in the Tri-Nations under Brian Noble but ultimately things fell apart.

"His handling of Sean Long came into question and obviously things didn't work out."

Smith will leave Leeds at the end of his fourth season in October to convert a consultancy role at the Rugby Football League into a full-time job as Great Britain coach.

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