Rugby, Australian Football: Rhino's boss extends stay

Leeds Rhinos have rewarded Australian coach Tony Smith for ending the club's 32-year wait for the championship with a 12-month extension to his contract.

The 37-year-old Smith, who paid his own air fare from Sydney in 2001 to secure his first head coaching role with Huddersfield, is halfway through an initial two-year deal at Headingley.

But after guiding the Rhinos to victory in the Super League Grand Final earlier this month, he has been told he has the job until the end of the 2006 season.

Smith's predecessor, Daryl Powell, who stepped aside 12 months ago to become director of rugby, will now get his old job back in two years time.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my first season at the Rhinos and I will be eternally grateful to Gary Hetherington and Daryl Powell for giving me the opportunity," said Smith.

"Things have gone very well. The team has so much potential and the staff are a great bunch to work with. The club is certainly going places and I am delighted to be part of it."

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