It would have helped if the likely starting 17 had a pre WC game to do some work on this.

But no. The moronic Smith had a meaningless game versus Wales with many of the England players that night not even going out to Oz!!

Why not fly there earlier, aclimatise more and play a game out there with our start 17. Nz managed it versus Tonga....we couldn't.

Just how many play maker combinations were we runnin through in actual cup games? How many permutations of second row/centre/wing.

A complete organisational farce and Smith was responsible.

Just to put things a little bit in perspective, all the faults that have been evident at the WC were there in the last tri Nations here. We had one good performance when Sean Long looked like a halfback for a minute, but were dire in the other games. Meanwhile Australia have a more dynamic backline than they did then.

Under Noble GB's backline was just as bad as now. The forwards may have played better, but to be honest the gap wasn't much bigger.

Still bitter?

Where is he going to go?
I can not imagine any NRL Clubs being interested, The Parra connection was a Red Herring.
Salford, Celtic?

Does anyone esle remember Tony Smith playing for Workington?

Paul Sculthorpe, Andy Farrell, Tommy Martyn, Kris Radlinski? All lacking coaching experience, but top players in their day, perhaps able, with a decent coaching team to rally a squad for the short periods they get together. All decorated players who know what it takes to win. All recent enough players to not be out of touch with the modern styles.

Andrew Johns? Alfie Langer? Freddie Fittler? What are these guys doing?

Even if not head coach, it could be worth looking at them for "advisory" or "mentor" roles for our current international players.

What exactly is Ellery Hanley doing these days??

I believe after leaving Donny Ellery is signed upto one of those tv Dancing shows but to be fair he will get known from that then get head coach role for England people will have a browse about what he does.

Mick Gledhill would win the World Cup as coach of Australia.

Tony Smith isnt the problem the players are.

You're absolutely right and you aren't the only one to hate how old it makes you sound either!

No showing from Smith at Stan's final testimonial dinner last night, wonder why

NZ have shown with the right coach you can turn an avergae team into World Champs!

Under two coaches they were quality teams, under one they were shocking.

Time for Smith to go, Lets get a Brit with some pride and passion running the squad! They shouldn't need technical coaching by the time they are Internationals, they should just need gelling and firing up!

They shouldn't, but they do, and perhaps that is the root of the problem. Too often, the basic skill levels are poor - how to carry the ball, passing either side, etc. Tactical awareness from many posters also demonstrates the lack of early level coaching.

Saying all that, the players performed below their individual ability, which has to be put down to the coach.

Why?

One player playing badly = down to the individual player.
Lots of players playing badly = down to the coach.

Has he gone yet?