Steve McNamara has backed the appointment of Leeds coach Tony Smith as new Great Britain boss.

Like many onlookers, the Bradford chief had desired an Englishman to take over the helm.

But with the obvious candidates tied up at their Super League clubs, McNamara reckons the Australian is currently the right man for the job.

He knows the Leeds chief well, having starred for Smith's Huddersfield side at the end of his own playing career before being handed his first coaching chance as Smith's assistant.

McNamara said: "Tony is a very, very good coach and extremely smart.He has the knack of building things and that bodes well for Great Britain.

"I'm sure he'll do a great job and I think he is the right man at this point."

Having cut his teeth at the Giants, Smith - who may consider McNamara as a Lions assistant - went on to win the 2004 Grand Final with Rhinos when they defeated the Bulls.

He also lifted the World Club Challenge and McNamara added: "From the time I worked with him at Huddersfield, he not only proved a fantastic coach but fantastic for the whole place.

"What he did for them was incredible. He effectively started with Huddersfield at rock bottom but built them up and really improved the side and the entire club.

"Tony then went on to Leeds and he's had some real success there too. They hadn't won the league title for so many years but he transformed them."

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