Jordan Abdull praises Tony Smith ahead of Super League coaching landmark
Picture by Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com
Jordan Abdull says he is hoping his team can make it a special weekend for head coach Tony Smith ahead of his astonishing landmark.
Smith, 55, heads into his 500th Super League fixture as a head coach on Easter Monday against Toulouse.
The former player has enjoyed a successful coaching career in England, having started his journey with Huddersfield in 2001. His first crack in the role saw him lead his side to promotion back to Super League.
He has since delivered two Grand Final wins at Leeds, including their first championship in 32 years.
Add Challenge Cup fixtures and the international stage with Great Britain, England and Japan, his total coaching tally would equal a lot more than 500.
Smith led Warrington to Challenge Cup glory in 2009, their first since 1990. He went on to lift the prestigious trophy twice more before making the switch to Yorkshire with Hull KR in 2019.
First up, the Robins host Hull on Good Friday as part of Super League’s Rival Round.
Jordan Abdull: ‘Tony Smith is the best player-manager I’ve ever had’
One player hoping to do his boss justice is Hull KR half-back Jordan Abdull. Speaking to Love Rugby League, the 26-year-old said: “I love Tony Smith and I love the way he coaches.
“He’s the best player-manager I’ve ever had in terms of man management. I think the main thing about him is that he genuinely cares about how we feel.
“It’s not all about just rugby. It sounds silly but he cares about how you are as a person.
“He wouldn’t sign the wrong type of person to the club. He could have the world’s best player but if he didn’t fit the culture of the club, then he wouldn’t sign the player.
“It’s a testament to the character that he’s got and the vision that he sees as a successful rugby league team.
“500 is a massive achievement. It’s a lot of games for a coach, especially how difficult it is being a coach. It’s result performance. If you lose a couple of games then your jobs on the line.
“It just shows all the backing he’s had from all the clubs that he’s worked at to get this many games. Hopefully we can make it a special day for him as well.”
READ MORE: ‘Hull derby is the biggest in the competition’ says Jordan Abdull
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