• The former Sydney Roosters coach will take over with immediate effect • Wakefield Trinity Wildcats anchored to the bottom of Super League • Wakefield part company with head coach James Webster after 11 months

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

Super League’s bottom club, Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, have announced that the Australian Brian Smith will be their new head coach with immediate effect.

The 61-year-old – the older brother of the Warrington coach, Tony Smith – replaces James Webster, who parted company with the club by mutual consent after their Challenge Cup defeat to Leigh Centurions this month.

Smith has not coached at club level since being sacked by the NRL side Sydney Roosters at the end of 2012, but he has coaching experience with a number of clubs in both England and Australia which could prove vital in helping Wakefield avoid relegation after an awful start to the season.

He coached Bradford Bulls during the inaugural season of Super League in 1996 and guided them to the Challenge Cup final in that year, although they lost to St Helens at Wembley.

He also guided both Parramatta Eels and Sydney to grand final appearances in Australia, but again lost on both occasions. He previously worked on the England backroom staff for their 2010 Four Nations campaign, and briefly coached the American national side in 2013.

Smith will arrive in the country this week from Australia although the interim coach, Stuart Dickens, is likely to remain in charge for their next game against the league leaders, Leeds Rhinos, before Smith takes control of the team.

He joins Wakefield with the club rooted to the bottom of the Super League table, having not won a league match since the middle of February.