Former All Blacks defence coach Wayne Smith is being credited with the Melbourne Storm's recent years of success in the NRL, ahead of their attempt to claim back to back Premierships tomorrow night.
Having stood down from his duties with the All Blacks last year, Smith has taken up a mentoring role with the Melbourne heavyweights, club head of football Frank Ponissi told the Australian.
Ponissi detailed Smith's short stint mentoring the Storm's coaching staff, coming during this year's pre-season while Craig Bellamy was preparing for the World Club Challenge.
"We had this weekend away with coaches in early December that really laid the platform," Ponissi said.
"We spoke about getting up after winning last year. He shared what it was like as an All Black.
"It was that hunter mentality. As soon as you win anything, people say you are the hunted. You can't change people's perspectives but you can change your own.
"If you feel like you're the hunted, you're not going to develop as players or staff. You have to keep that mentality that we are still hunting ourselves.
"As soon as you feel hunted you become defensive and stop learning. That was our mentality and he was a big part of that."
The Melbourne Storm face the Sydney Roosters tomorrow night in the NRL's grand final, looking to become the first side since 1993 to claim back to back titles.
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