The 42-year-old tactician behind Canterbury Crusaders' two-year domination of the Super 12 series replaces John Hart, who threw in the towel after his side's World Cup play-off defeat by South Africa in the first week of November. Smith won 17 caps for New Zealand between 1980 and 1985 - he played two Tests against Ciaran Fitzgerald's Lions in '83 - but, more pertinently, he served under Hart in coaching and advisory roles during the Aucklander's four-year national reign. But the pair have been given two-year contracts rather than the customary four, and will have to re-apply for their jobs before leading New Zealand into the 2003 World Cup. "Both Tony and I understand that the All Blacks are a precious jewel and that we are keepers of it only for a short time," said Smith. Shrewd judges wondered whether the ultimate failure of the Hart regime would render Smith guilty by association and persuade the NZRFU to look elsewhere, but the board took the view that his long All Black apprenticeship and recent achievements at provincial level made him the choice candidate. Tony Gilbert, the Otago Highlanders coach, has been appointed as Smith's assistant, giving the new All Black hierarchy a dream team appearance: Canterbury and Otago contested the Super 12 final last season and are by common consent the most able outfits south of the equator. The 42-year-old tactician behind Canterbury Crusaders' two-year domination of the Super 12 series replaces John Hart, who threw in the towel after his side's World Cup play-off defeat by South Africa in the first week of November.

Brazilian Formula One driver Rubens Barrichello of the Ferrari team was to undergo surgery today to remove calcified tissue from his rib cage. Brazilian Formula One driver Rubens Barrichello of the Ferrari team was to undergo surgery today to remove calcified tissue from his rib cage. The operation will be performed at Sao Paulo's Albert Einstein Hospital by orthopedist Moises Cohen, who will withdraw the tissue that started forming on the driver's sixth and seventh ribs after an accident in the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. The Agencia Folha news wire quoted Cohen as saying that the operation would be "relatively simple" and that Barrichello should leave the hospital by Sunday morning. Barrichello arrived in Brazil from Spain on Friday, where he was testing cars for Ferrari.. A chastened collection of New Zealand Rugby Football Union movers and shakers yesterday decided against spin-passing the All Black baby in the same direction as the bath water by naming Wayne Smith as their national coach. A chastened collection of New Zealand Rugby Football Union movers and shakers yesterday decided against spin-passing the All Black baby in the same direction as the bath water by naming Wayne Smith as their national coach. After a decent return to the top division Hibernian have hit the comfort zone of mid-table, but McLeish is now looking for the Easter Road club to take the next step.. The Frenchman can talk to other clubs in January and leave on a free transfer at the end of the season, and Jefferies felt he needed back-up. Dirk Lehmann could return for Hibernian to partner Mixu Paatelainen as the manager, Alex McLeish, takes charge for his first derby match on enemy territory.

Hearts have moved to solve their goalkeeping problems by signing Rangers' Finnish international Antti Niemi for £400,000. Manager Jim Jefferies recently recruited Norwegian keeper Roger Vaaler on loan with first-choice Gilles Rousset refusing to sign a new contract. The goalkeeper, Gilles Rousset, has been suffering from flu, so Roddy McKenzie is set to continue in goal. Despite both clubs agreeing to a provisional date of 2 February for the tie, which has twice been postponed, the Scottish Football League has insisted the game must be played before the end of the year. The SFL's preferred date falls inside the four-week winter break and would cause complications to the foreign players who are set to return home on 28 December. Meanwhile, Hearts have major fitness doubts ahead of tomorrow's Edinburgh derby match with Hibernian. The Scotland striker Gary McSwegan is doubtful with a hamstring injury and his forward partner, Thomas Flogel, is also likely to miss out after damaging his foot against Kilmarnock two weeks ago. Fitzroy Simpson is almost certain to make his debut following his arrival from Portsmouth, but neither Rob McKinnon nor Gary Locke, who both returned to training yesterday, are thought fit enough to take part. Hearts and Kilmarnock are determined to fight moves to make them play their CIS Insurance Cup quarter-final at Rugby Park on 30 December.

Despite both clubs agreeing to a provisional date of 2 February for the tie, which has twice been postponed, the Scottish Football League has insisted the game must be played before the end of the year. Gregory was also deemed by the FA not to be in breach of his touchline ban at Upton Park when he came on to the pitch to give a team talk after normal time and then again before the penalty shoot-out.. Hearts and Kilmarnock are determined to fight moves to make them play their CIS Insurance Cup quarter-final at Rugby Park on 30 December. If that incident had happened up at the other end, there would not have been a penalty." However, the FA is satisfied that the comments were made in a light-hearted manner and believes Gregory has no case to answer.