Wakefield 'ecstatic' after Brian Smith agrees to remain in charge for 2016

The 61-year-old Australian joined the Wildcats in June as the successor to James Webster on a short-term deal with a brief to keep them in Super League.

Smith halted the club's 16-match losing run with victory over Hull in his third match in charge and guided them to three wins from their seven matches in the Super 8s Qualifiers which was enough to secure home advantage in the £1million play-off match with Bradford.

A 24-16 victory over the Bulls in front of a sell-out 7,236 crowd at Belle Vue then preserved Wakefield's Super League status for 2016 after which Smith described his feelings as "tickled pink".

Smith, older brother of Warrington's former Huddersfield, Leeds and England coach Tony Smith, flew home to Australia this week but Wakefield chairman Michael Carter confirmed on Sunday night that he had agreed to remain in charge for next season.

"I'm ecstatic," Carter told Press Association Sport. "He's transformed us on and off the field and I can't wait to work another year with him on the back of a full pre-season.

"I just hope the fans back up the commitment we have made."

Smith was busy in the transfer market before he left the country and the club are expected to make a series of announcements on player signings and retentions this week.