VIDEO - Wakefield Wildcats: Captain Kirmond urges coach Smith to stay on

Smith, who joined the club in June, is considering an offer to remain in charge next year, after Wildcats confirmed their First Utility Super League status with victory over Bradford Bulls in the million pound match.

“He has been great,” said the skipper of the veteran Australian. “The main thing he does is he makes you think about life in general, not just about rugby.

“Some of the things he says, you think they are a bit out there, but he makes sure you are happy and if you do that, you play your best rugby.

“He has got the best out of a lot of players in the squad and he has dealt with things off the field so well. We have had some tough times, but the way everybody has pulled together shows we want to stay in Super League. Brian has been a big part of that.”

Kirmond also hailed hooker Scott Moore, whose try on the final play of last Saturday’s game confirmed Wildcats’ place in the top flight. Moore joined Wakefield from Castleford Tigers in July as part of a deal which took Paul McShane the other way. He was ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a torn biceps in training two months ago, but defied medical advice to play against Bradford.

“It’s huge testament to Scott and how tough he is,” Kirmond said. “He is on loan here, he’s not even contracted, so for him to put his body on the line four weeks after a biceps reconstruction, it’s crazy really. It shows how much it means to him and how tight the boys are here.”

With the euphoria of Saturday’s win now beginning to wear off, Kirmond agreed Wildcats will need a huge improvement to avoid being in a similar position in 2016.

“This year we’ve not been good enough,” he conceded. “The Super League season was really disappointing. Brian and [chairman] Michael [Carter] have put a lot in place for next year already, depending on us staying up.

We have done the business on the field and we know we need to be better next year, but we are looking forward to getting back in and working hard.”

Kirmond admitted he was “ecstatic and relieved” after Wildcats’ last-day reprieve, but he also spared a thought for Bradford, who will spend another year in the second tier, following relegation in 2014.

“I feel sorry for Bradford; they have put so much on the line,” he said.

“But we are really happy. We will enjoy the moment for a long time and never forget the people we’ve done it with.”