All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith has signed a two-year contract with Super Rugby franchise the Chiefs.

Smith joins the Waikato-based team as an assistant next year, working with new head coach Dave Rennie and fellow assistant Tom Coventry. Rennie replaces Ian Foster at the Chiefs' helm, who had held the position since 2004.

The Chiefs finished last in the New Zealand conference this year, and 10th overall.

Smith said he was looking forward taking on the new role.

"I know that the time is right to step down from my All Blacks role at the end of the year," he said today. "But I was keen to stay in New Zealand and keep contributing to New Zealand rugby and this gives me a fantastic chance to do that."

Rennie said Smith's wealth of experience makes him an important acquisition for the Chiefs.

"Smithy is one of the best coaches in the world. While his role will primarily be around defence and counter-attack, his experience will be of huge benefit to our playing and coaching group as a whole."

Smith's involvement with the All Blacks began back in 1980 as a five-eighth. He went on to play 17 Tests for New Zealand, collecting 35 caps in a five-year career.

The Putaruru-born Smith coached the Crusaders in the Super 12 for the first time in 1997, collecting titles in 1998 and 1999 before being appointed All Blacks coach after the 1999 Rugby World Cup.

He stepped aside in 2001, coaching English rugby side Northampton until 2004 when current All Blacks coach Graham Henry appointed him as backs coach for the national side.

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