The All Blacks coach Steve Hansen says he's tried to lure the Chiefs assistant coach Wayne Smith back to Test rugby and take up a position as one of his assistants.
Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen as All Black assistant coaches, 2008. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Smith, a former All Black, was previously the head coach of the national team and an assistant coach under Sir Graham Henry.
With the World Cup looming next year, Hansen says he's asked Smith to rejoin the fold, but hasn't been given an answer.
He says it's up to Smith to decide if he's available for the All Blacks.
Hansen named a 31-man squad on Monday for this year's Rugby Championship that features the return of Dan Carter from a six month sabbatical.
Hansen says Carter is looking sharp and he hopes the break from rugby has ended a horror run of injuries the first-five suffered last year.
