By Phil Gordos

McClennan will be looking for more success at Leeds

Kevin Sinfield says new coach Brian McClennan can bring more success to Grand Final winners Leeds Rhinos.

The former New Zealand national boss replaces Tony Smith, who is taking full-time charge of Great Britain.

"The Kiwi players say Brian is good at building team spirit, so hopefully he can carry that on at Leeds," said Rhinos captain Sinfield.

"He's got a good reputation and I'm looking forward to working with him and forging a good relationship."

Sinfield said he had yet to speak to McClennan, whose reign will officially begin on 1 December, but expects the regime transition to be a smooth one.

"He will have a pretty determined bunch of players to work with," said Sinfield.

"We are still quite a young side with a lot to prove and we will do all we can to support Brian when he comes in.

"No one is ever guaranteed to win anything but hopefully we can kick on and pick up more silverware."

Smith's shoes will take some filling.

The Australian, who joined Leeds from Huddersfield Giants at the end of 2003, guided the Rhinos to Grand Final success in his first year in charge.

They also won the World Club Challenge and reached both the Challenge Cup final and Grand Final the following year.

Smith rounded off his spell at the helm with the thrilling defeat of St Helens in Saturday's Grand Final.

The Rhinos went into the game at Old Trafford as slight underdogs but overwhelmed their opponents in the second half to seal a deserved 33-6 victory.

606: DEBATE Can McClennan bring more success to the Rhinos?

"Saints have been a champion side, so our win over them was extra special," added Sinfield, who committed his long-term future to the club last week by signing a four-year deal.

Sinfield believes Smith will go down as the best coach in the club's history, but McClennan has an excellent pedigree of his own.

He may not have coached in either the NRL or Super League, but he steered New Zealand to a stunning win in the 2005 Tri-Nations Series final against Australia, when they ran out 24-0 victors at Elland Road.

McClennan, who has signed a two-year contract, is very familiar with some of the Leeds players well already, having worked with Kiwi internationals Brent Webb, Clinton Toopi and Ali Lauitiiti.