Smith to depart the ‘dwindling’ sport of Rugby League

Warrington head coach Tony Smith says he is unlikely to stay in Rugby League and believes the sport has become less attractive.

Smith, who will leave the Wolves after nine years at the end of this season, has questioned whether the sport is being promoted properly.

“The game is becoming less attractive,” he told BBC Radio Manchester. “But that is my vibe on it. I am not bitter because I am finishing at Warrington, I’ve felt like this for a few years now.”

“I’m not sure that we are growing much as a sport. We are absolutely [detracting]. I think the sport is dwindling and we need some freshness and excitement about the way we promote it.”

The 50-year-old says his opinion is shared by many, with the standard and structure of Super League coming under heavy criticism throughout the season.

“I wouldn’t be excited about jumping into anything in rugby league just at the moment, but I’d love to see some changes before I could get excited about the game as a whole,” Smith added.

“There’s a lot of people out there that are feeling that way about our sport.”

Warrington travel to Featherstone on Saturday before hosting Hull KR a week later in Smith’s final game in charge of the club.