NRL: Former All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith's key role in Melbourne Storm's run to grand final

Wayne Smith had a 20-year involvement with the All Blacks before retiring as assistant coach in 2017. Photo / Photosport

The Melbourne Storm have paid a special tribute to Wayne Smith, saying the former All Blacks coach has played a key role in their quest for back-to-back premierships.

Smith has had a long, albeit unofficial association with the Storm, who face the Roosters in Sunday's NRL grand final, but it has gone to another level this year.

According to The Australian newspaper, the 61-year-old has taken on a more formal role this season, and his input was vital in developing the right mindset and strategy ahead of their title defence.

The Storm were expected to struggle this year, especially with the departure of key pivot Cooper Cronk, along with dynamic forwards Tohu Harris and Jordan McLean.

They've also been hit with untimely injuries, especially to Jesse Bromwich and Nelson Asofa-Solomona, but are now 80 minutes away from becoming the first team in 25 years to win consecutive grand finals.

It's a significant feat, as backing up after an NRL premiership win has historically proved so difficult.

Melbourne Storm players warm up ahead of a training session on the eve of another grand final. Photo / Getty

Smith ended his 20-year involvement with the All Blacks when he stepped down as defence coach at the end of 2017, was nicknamed the 'Professor' due to his tactical acumen.

The former test first-five was assistant coach for the All Blacks across successful World Cup campaigns in 2011 and 2015, and also went back-to-back with the Crusaders (1998-1999) and the Chiefs (2012-2013, as assistant).

Storm head of football Frank Ponissi said Smith played a key role in shaping the club's mentality at a pre-season strategy meeting.

"We had this weekend away with coaches in early December that really laid the platform," Ponissi told The Australian.

"We spoke about getting up after winning last year. He shared what it was like as an All Black.

"It was that hunter mentality. As soon as you win anything, people say you are the hunted. You can't change people's perspectives but you can change your own.

"If you feel like you're the hunted, you're not going to develop as players or staff. You have to keep that mentality that we are still hunting ourselves. As soon as you feel hunted you become defensive and stop learning. That was our mentality and he was a big part of that."

The Storm and the All Blacks have had an unofficial association for a number of years.

Craig Bellamy spent time in camp with the New Zealand team in 2010 and 2016, and Smith has had a long friendship with Bellamy.

According to The Australian, Smith had a mentor role with the club's coaches this year and spent several days with assistant coach Jason Ryles ahead of a pre-season game against the Warriors in February when Bellamy was in England focusing on the World Club Challenge match.

The grand final kicks off on Sunday at 10.20pm.