Smith safe after cup failure

England were on Saturday night packing their bags and preparing to return home with their tails between their legs after going down 32-22 to New Zealand in the first semi-final at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium, a third successive defeat that followed seven consecutive victories under Smith.

Smith's team have conceded 142 points in four matches, but the coach insists he will see out the remaining 12 months on his contract and he was given a vote of confidence by Rugby Football League executive chairman Richard Lewis within an hour of the final whistle. Asked if Smith's position is under threat, Lewis responded: "No, not at all."

He added: "He has a huge role to play in the debrief and review of what's happened here - and he has a huge role to play in setting the record straight when we have a Four Nations in the northern hemisphere in 2009.

"He's an outstanding coach and he's respected right through the sport. I respect him hugely as a coach but also as a person. I think he's got a huge role to play in the future of the sport."

Smith, cheekily linked by an Australian tabloid newspaper to the coaching vacancy at Parramatta on the eve of Saturday's game, vowed not to walk out on the RFL - where he is also technical director.

"Coaches like challenges," he said.

"Coaches have to be tough and learn from each game. They don't go running away very often."