Disillusioned Smith set to return

Rugby league

Rugby league

Disillusioned Smith set to return

The leading Australian coach Brian Smith has cleared the way for his return to England - possibly to take charge of Bradford Northern - by announcing he plans to leave the Sydney club St George at the end of the season. The former Hull coach said he was disillusioned with the Australian rugby league scene, in particular the ongoing power struggle between the Australian Rugby League and Rupert Murdoch's Super League. "I really despise what's happening to the game at the moment," he said. "The game, in this country at least, is losing a lot of its character. It may regather it, but for me there's a lot of irreparable damage that's been done. It will be repaired to a certain extent but it will never be the same again for me." Bradford, who parted company with Peter Fox earlier this week, are reported to have made Smith a lucrative offer to lead them into the Super League era.