Rugby: Caretakers step up to replace Smith

Nick Horan has been confirmed as the new coach for Bay of Plenty. Photo / BoP Times

They have been caretaker coaches for the last fortnight and now Sean Horan and Steve Miln officially have charge of Bay of Plenty after Greg Smith's contract was ripped up yesterday.

The former Waikato and Fiji hooker has been absent since the start of the Air New Zealand Cup after a mysterious series of events.

Smith - appointed on a one-year deal to replace Kevin Schuler as coach - and the Bay of Plenty union parted by "mutual agreement" yesterday with no explanation offered, to a backdrop of rumours of a player revolt and communication shortcomings.

Technical advisor Horan has been confirmed as coach, with Miln continuing as assistant.

A Bay of Plenty union statement yesterday confirmed what had seemed the inevitable next step, saying that due to a "breakdown in certain aspects of the relationship", it was in the best interests of both parties to terminate Smith's contract.

"We do not attribute responsibility to Greg Smith for this," the statement added, which rather pointed the finger at their own players.

Smith had displayed a high level of technical ability and professionalism in his role and in his relationship with the players, the union said.

Things were looking dodgy before the championship began with Bay of Plenty having an ordinary pre-season preparation, culminating in a 35-7 belting from Hawkes Bay.

It is understood the union held an emergency meeting after that, and Smith was missing from Bay training in the week leading up to the opening round.

"We've got some concerns on the way the Steamers are tracking in such a critical season and we're working as hard as we can to get things back on track," Bay of Plenty chief executive Jeremy Curragh said at the time.

"We've agreed with Greg that he should take a few days off and Steve and Sean will continue to take training in his absence, holding the fort."

Smith, 35, was appointed by a panel including former All Black and New Zealand union president John Graham and former New Zealand Maori coach Matt Te Pou. Te Pou maintained Smith had been the outstanding candidate for the job.

"When he interviewed he presented with the right credentials and came across as the best candidate - and there were some class acts against him," Te Pou said.

Eleven jobs were chopped at the Bay union last year and chairman Bruce Cameron issued a stern warning at the time.

"I won't tolerate any complacency on or off the field," he said. "We need a big year."

With four teams due to drop out of the Air New Zealand Cup next year, the union may have got jittery before the competition began.

Bay of Plenty's players seem to have responded solidly to Smith's absence. They sit top of the ladder after wins over Northland and Counties-Manukau, with a crunch game coming up against fellow unbeaten side Wellington in Rotorua on Saturday night.