KEY POINTS:
CARDIFF- Wayne Smith has not yet committed to a permanent stay in Wales although it appears he is seriously contemplating a second rugby coaching stint in Britain.
Smith today re-emphasised his sole focus was assisting the All Blacks to complete a third Grand Slam as the test against
Wales looms here on Sunday morning (NZT).
Speculation about his future arose after the Swansea-based Ospreys nominated the 51-year-old former All Black as their preferred head coach.
News of the Osprey's interest emerged while the All Blacks were in Ireland and Smith has been under pressure to outline his plans.
He signed a two-year contract to remain as one of Graham Henry's assistants after Henry was reappointed despite New Zealand's failure at the last year's World Cup.
Smith said he felt no obligation to see out his term with the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU), reiterating he had a review clause built into his contract, and would evaluate the season and his contribution to it once he returned home.
He insisted he would not hold discussions with Ospreys representatives while in Cardiff although he may be in contact after the All Blacks' tour ends following next weekend's test against England at Twickenham.
"Once the tour is over the decisions will be made."
Smith said the out clause was incorporated into his deal as a reflection of the stresses his high-profile job entailed .
"I haven't said I'm not going to see out the two years but when I signed the contract it's fair to say the pleasure had been dulled for me as a coach," he said, referring to the public outcry associated with the All Blacks' quarterfinal defeat to France in Cardiff last October.
"Before I signed I made sure I had an opportunity to have an end of year review, and that's what I'll do."
Smith said he never applied to remain as backs coach after the unsuccessful World Cup campaign prompted a wide-ranging review, but he and fellow assistant coach Steve Hansen wanted to remain loyal to Henry.
"I never applied for the job but I wanted to support Graham and the guys who supported us, who wanted us to apply - the players, the management, the employees of the NZRU.
"They did a lot for us, we didn't want to run from the decision so we backed Graham."
The All Blacks coaching triumvirate have redeemed themselves by moulding a new look team into defenders of both the Bledisloe Cup and Tri-Nations title.
They are also halfway through what would be the completion of a second Grand Slam on their watch, following the exploits of the 2005 squad.
Smith said his family would be a major consideration when he made a decision about the offer from Ospreys.
"The amount of time you're away adds up. I spend more time in Air New Zealand lounges than my own lounge so you start to think about these things," he said.
Smith was John Hart's technical adviser in 1998 and 1999, then head coach for two years before he was sacked after the 2001 Tri-Nations and replaced by John Mitchell.
After three years with English club Northampton he returned to New Zealand to be Henry's backs coach.
The test against Wales will his 79th with the All Blacks in a coaching capacity.
- NZPA
