Australia's Tony Smith, the coach of the Great Britain rugby league team, has become a British citizen.

The 41-year-old, who attended a citizenship ceremony in his home town of Huddersfield in northern England, took over the national team when he succeeded Brian Noble in April 2007.

Smith said: "I am both proud and honoured to become a British citizen and I am delighted to show a strong and clear commitment to this country which I have developed during my career in rugby league here.

"I believe I have made a contribution to the sport in the UK over the last eight years and I look forward to continuing to do that for many more years to come.

"My family and I have made this country our home and we are all very settled and happy. We love living here."

Smith's next big test will come in the World Cup in October and November when England meet Papua New Guinea, hosts Australia and New Zealand in their group.

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