Wakefield appoint Brian Smith as coach

Wakefield Wildcats have appointed Brian Smith as their new coach.

Smith has over 30 years coaching experience, at clubs like Paramatta, St George, Illawarra, Newcastle and Sydney Roosters in Australia, and Bradford and Hull FC in the UK.

He will arrive in the UK next week, subject to visa approval, with interim coach Stuart Dickens staying in charge until Monday June 8.

Wakefield chairman Michael Carter is delighted to have recruited a coach with such a pedigree.

“Brian Smith is a worldwide name in rugby league,” Carter told Sky Sports.

“He comes with the highest pedigree, and I think it’s a real coup for a club like Wakefield Trinity to attract somebody of his ilk.”

Carter also revealed that Smith’s predecessor James Webster had played a role in recruiting Smith.

“It’s very interesting actually,” Carter added.

“Because he actually sent a text message via our previous head coach, James Webster, who was kind enough to pass that on to me, pretty much applying for the job.

“I managed to have a couple of chats with Brian over the phone. He spoke fantastically well about what he’d like to achieve with us.

“In fairness, we had a really high calibre of candidate for the job, but having spoken to Brian, it quickly became an easy decision to make.”

Smith is in charge until the end of the season, but Carter revealed that staying on was a possibility for the coach whether or not Wakefield are in Super League next season.

“We’re in a real battle this year, and the focus for us is survival,” he added.

“I’ve spoken to Brian, and he’s assured me that he can come in and do a really good job until the end of the season, and then we’ll sit down at the end of the season.

“And wherever we may be, if we survive and we’re still in Super League, we’ll sit down and discuss a new deal. If we’re in the Championship we can sit down and discuss a new deal then, too.”