Tony Smith stands down from England role
Tony Smith resigns as head coach of England rugby league side for family reasons
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Tony Smith has resigned as head coach of the England rugby league side following last night's Four Nations' final defeat to Australia.
Hours after England succumbed to a comprehensive 46-16 defeat at Elland Road the Australian-born Smith stepped down from the post he has held for the last two and a half years.
Speaking last week to BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek Smith announced he intended to leave his position and this morning confirmed the decision.
Smith said: "Even if we had won last night I'd still have stepped down. All of my coaching career I have put my personal aspirations first, however I must now consider the needs of my family.
"Next year the Four Nations is in the southern hemisphere and after a long domestic season with Warrington it would mean at least six weeks away from home with England.
"I must consider my family's needs as well as my own, and therefore believe now is the right time to stand down."
The announcement arrived in the wake of England's 46-16 hammering at the hands of Australia in the final of the Four Nations tournament.
The defeat, though not a surprising one, added to the list of disappointing results achieved by the English side which included a record 52-4 loss to Australia in last year's World Cup culminating in a semi-final loss at the hands of New Zealand.
Richard Lewis, chairman of the RFL said: "Tony explained to us before the start of the Gillette Four Nations his reasons for not wanting to continue as national coach, which we appreciate, and we wish him well for his future.
"Our aim is to win the 2013 World Cup and by including so many youngsters in his Gillette Four Nations squad Tony has certainly set the wheels in motion to achieve this."