Rhinos chief praises Smith’s lasting legacy

McDermott served his apprenticeship under Tony Smith while acting as the Australian’s assistant, firstly at Huddersfield Giants and, later, at Headingley.

He was on the coaching staff when Leeds, in Smith’s first season in charge, won the 2004 Grand Final and ended a 32-year wait for league success.

Smith, 45, also led Rhinos to a maiden World Club Challenge the following year and, after McDermott had elevated to the main role at Harlequins, another Super League title in 2007 before leaving to become coach of the Great Britain side.

Given that he has since secured two Challenge Cup triumphs with Warrington – the only trophy to elude Smith while in charge at Leeds – and a League Leaders’ Shield it is easy to see why McDermott rates him so highly ahead of some legendary figures, not least former Wigan coach John Monie, who was such an integral part of their pre-Super League dominance.

“I think Tony Smith is the greatest overseas coach we have ever had in this country,” he said ahead of today’s Challenge Cup final between Leeds and Warrington.

“You only need to look at his record at Huddersfield, Leeds and Warrington to see that.

“Not only has he made those teams successful but he has changed the entire culture of those organisations for the better and left a lasting legacy when he has moved on.

“I have a great deal of admiration for Tony and have always gone on record to say how much I learnt from working alongside him.

“We face a very tough Warrington side on Saturday, not just because of the talents they possess as individuals but because those individuals are coached by Tony Smith.”

Meanwhile, McDermott, who replicated Smith’s achievement by winning a Grand Final in his first season in charge at Headingley last year, insists the club’s recent abject record in Challenge Cup finals will not hamper them this afternoon.

They lost last year against Wigan having fallen against Warrington in 2010 in a run which has now stretched to five final defeats since last lifting the trophy in 1999.

“That is what sport is all about,” he maintained.

“When you fall, you pick yourself up and you go again, you don’t just stay lying down bemoaning the fact that you fell in the first place.

“These are the games as a player or coach you are desperate to be involved in and there is a great buzz around the group this week as we look towards the Warrington game.”