Tony Smith's involvement with British Rugby League began by finishing his playing career in 1996 with a spell at Workington Town in the inaugural Super League season. His initial time at Workington was hampered by Achilles tendon injury suffered two seasons previous, made all the worse by Workington's poor form which saw them relegated to National League One.[5] He also notoriously lived above a Workington fish 'n' chip shop with his wife, commenting "every morning I trudged to training and swore we'd never come back to this country."[5]
His most notable on-field contribution was on his début as he helped the club to an 18–18 draw with Halifax Blue Sox, one of only five points that the club secured in 1996 as they finished bottom of Super League. Smith's high bomb led to the side's third try, scored by Wayne Kitchin.
After returning home to Australia after finishing his playing career with Workington, Smith turned to coaching and applied for the job of Super League club Huddersfield Giants in September 2001.[6] His first season in charge saw Huddersfield Giants relegated to National League One, which consequently followed their dreadful start to the season losing 13 games in a row, a record number of consecutive defeats for a coach who held on to his job in British Rugby League.[7]
Conversely, Huddersfield Giants returned to Super League the following year after not losing a single game throughout the National League One season. This culminated in their Grand Final win against Leigh Centurions which secured the team's promotion. In their return season to Super League in 2003 Huddersfield Giants avoided relegation, finishing in 10th place which at the time was by far the club's best Super League finish.
Leeds Rhinos
Smith was appointed head coach of the Leeds Rhinos in a surprise move in November 2003 as the club decided to move incumbent Daryl Powell into an upstairs role for two years from the start of the 2004 season.
Smith secured his second Super League championship with victory in the 2007 Super League Grand Final, his final game as coach of Leeds Rhinos.
Great Britain
Smith was announced as the successor to Brian Noble and became the full-time coach of Great Britain. He saw out his Leeds contract until the end of the 2007 season and combined the GB coaching role with that of performance director and headed up the Rugby Football League's technical department at Leeds Metropolitan University.[citation needed]
His first game in charge of Great Britain was a victory over France. The 3-0 whitewash of New Zealand followed with a 20–14 victory at Huddersfield, a 44-0 thrashing of the Kiwis in the 2nd test at Hull and a final test win at the JJB by 28 points to 22. Leeds Rhinos players contributed hugely to these victories including captain Jamie Peacock, half-backs Rob Burrow and Danny McGuire, 2nd Row Gareth Ellis and centre Keith Senior. As this was the last test series as a Great Britain side on home soil. Smith then led the England side into the 2008 World Cup. Only overseas touring sides now use the Great Britain name.
On 5 March 2009, Warrington Wolves announced that Smith was to take over as their new head coach while continuing to coach England on a part-time basis. His first game in charge of Warrington was a 14–20 defeat at home to former club Leeds Rhinos.
On 29 August 2009, he led Warrington to their first Challenge Cup Final since 1990, and ultimately the team's first final victory since 1974, beating his former club the Huddersfield Giants 25–16.
After leading Warrington Wolves to the Super League Grand Final in 2012, 2013 and 2016 at Old Trafford,[21] and also his second League Leaders' Shield in 2016, his spell as Warrington Wolves coach ended in 2017 when he departed the club at the end of the 2017 Super League season; at the time he was the league's longest-serving coach.
Hull Kingston Rovers
Smith was announced as the new head coach of Hull Kingston Rovers on 6 June 2019 following the sacking of former Hull KR coach Tim Sheens the day before. At the end of the 2019 Super League season, Hull KR finished 11th on the table. In Smith's first full season as head coach in 2020, Hull KR finished bottom of the Super League but were spared from relegation due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the expulsion of Toronto. In the 2021 Super League season, Smith guided Hull KR to sixth on the table as they qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2013. After upsetting Warrington 19–0 in the first week of the playoffs, Hull KR travelled to France for the semi-final against Catalans Dragons. Hull KR would lose the match 28-10 which ended their season one game short of the grand final.[22][23][24]
On 4 July 2022, Smith was terminated as head coach of Hull Kingston Rovers after the club had only won a single match since St. George's Day of the 2022 season with the side were sitting 10th on the table. Smith had announced in April that he was leaving the club at the end of the campaign which resulted in a massive drop in form. Smith was replaced by interim head coach Danny McGuire.[25]
Hull F.C.
On 13 September 2022, Smith was announced as the new head coach of Hull F.C.[26]
In the Super League XXVIII season, Smith's first year in charge ended with a 10th placed finish.[27]
On 11 April 2024, Smith stepped down as head coach after 18 months in charge. Hull F.C. had started the 2024 Super League season poorly losing six of their first seven matches with their only victory coming in a last gasp effort against the London Broncos. Under Smith, Hull F.C. in 2024 conceded 50 points or more on three occasions.[28]
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