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Let's start with the perennially controversial subject of refereeing - more specifically how many referees there are on the pitch.

When the National Rugby League season kicks off again in March, each game will have have - one controlling play and the other monitoring events around the ruck, with the roles changing during a match.

"I have been an advocate of two referees for a long time," Smith told me. "But I'm not a fan of the way they will swap from one to the other in Australia. I would like specialised referees, one governing the 10-metre offside rule for the whole game and the other for the ball."

So could we see two referees in Super League? "If it all goes well down there we can consider it down the track," said Smith.

The hope in Australia is that the initiative will curb some of the dark arts of tackling that have sullied the game, including the and the , a manoeuvre which involves a player getting his arm wrenched behind his back. An almighty row erupted in Australia last season when Melbourne Storm hooker after he was found guilty of the former.

But are such tactics prevalent in Super League? "We did a pretty good job last year, there were only a couple of incidents of those sort of techniques brought before the judiciary," said Smith. "It is part of my role to make people aware of things that are creeping in."

Part of the problem with the grapple tackle is that it involves tackling the ball-carrier around his neck. It's clearly dangerous - and Super League wants to avoid anything that endangers players.

The 2008 season was horrendous for injuries, with virtually every club suffering losses early in the campaign. Brian McClennan, Smith's successor at Leeds, has already stated that with such a short pre-season he expects more casualties than ever in 2009.

Smith prefers to take a longer-term view, but does not subscribe to the theory that the increase in players' size and strength means their bodies can no longer cope with constant collisions.

"There was a lot of debate about injury last year. I'm not sure it wasn't partly to do with the weather as it was particularly wet at the start of last season," he said. "It could be part of a cycle, sometimes there is a coincidence and people try to attribute it to their theories. I'm not convinced it is because the players are so finely tuned, but I'll be the first to hold my hand up if it is a trend. We need to take care of our athletes."

The health and happiness of the players clearly matters to Smith, and there are moves by the RFL to address the issue of injuries. Smith reckons that the data they compiled last season was much better than in previous years, while takes place in Leeds in March.

Injuries, of course, hampered Smith's preparations for the World Cup, with players like Sean O'Loughlin and Sam Burgess missing out - although that does not excuse England's disappointing showing.

It was a miserable campaign, as an ageing backline struggled to contain the vibrant and athletic opposition provided by Australia and New Zealand. England's only - and somewhat scratchy - . Pundits and supporters alike were staggered to see how far behind the southern hemisphere England had slipped, while the RFL decided to undertake a wide-ranging review, which is nearing a conclusion.

One partial excuse for England's failure was that they were wrong-footed by the interpretation of the rules. The southern hemisphere referees allow defenders longer to hold down the attacking player who has been tackled, which slows down a team's play-the-ball. England, with fast, mobile hookers such as James Roby, struggled to adjust to the slower tempo around the ruck.

I spoke to coaching guru recently. He was part of the Kiwi backroom staff at the World Cup and studied the tapes of their games against England several times. Bennett firmly believes interpretation of the rules had nothing to do with England's failure.

Smith argues that while the interpretation seems fairly minor it has "a significant effect on the way the game is played".

So should the rules be standardised? Smith is urging a thorough evaluation of the situation before any changes are made. He is also quick to point out that the way the rules are enforced in Australia doesn't necessarily make for the most entertaining product. If there are changes that need to be made in the domestic game, they will be debated this season and implemented for 2010.

"There certainly have not been any instructions to referees this season," said Smith. And besides, when the Kangaroos and Kiwis arrive for the at the end of the season, Smith suggests the table may be turned, given that northern hemisphere referees will be in charge.

Significant or not, refereeing interpretations do not mask the deficiencies in the England team and the need for an injection of new blood. The big question is whether or not there are enough players up to the task.

"I am looking forward to introducing some good young players," added the England coach. "We certainly produce more forwards than backs, but we need more in both departments."

I get the feeling that Smith realises there will be no quick fix to England's problems. In his current role, he has started to see the state of the domestic game in a broader perspective and has drawn one or two interesting conclusions.

"I attend plenty of junior games and watch young, agile, fit and fast players freezing on the wings," he notes. "They will only freeze for so long before they take off for another sport."

For Smith, the answer is obvious - switch junior rugby from winter to summer. It's an interesting idea - and one that will be hotly debated.