The Challenge Cup was the only major trophy to have eluded Tony Smith

By Elizabeth Hudson BBC Sport, Wembley Stadium

'Miracle worker' is a tag that probably doesn't sit too comfortably with Warrington coach Tony Smith.

But after the Wolves' Challenge Cup final victory over Huddersfield on Saturday, it is one the modest Australian may just have to bear.

Since taking over at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in March, with the side struggling at the bottom of the Super League, Smith - who is now a British citizen - has revived both the club's season and its players, culminating in their 25-16 Wembley triumph.

It gave Smith his first Challenge Cup success, the only honour he missed out on during his trophy-laden spell with Leeds Rhinos, and sparked wild celebrations among the success-starved supporters.

Warrington have long been known as under-achievers, with their last Challenge Cup final win coming in 1974, and rumours abounded of a drinking and party culture within the club.

But after their poor start to this season, Smith arrived to work above Jimmy Lowes, who had taken over after the departure of Paul Cullen in May 2008.

The 42-year-old decided to return to club action after England's poor performance at last year's World Cup in Australia, where he found himself criticised in many quarters.

He still retains the England post on a part-time basis, but stepped down as the Rugby Football League's technical director to take up the Warrington job.

To not even have reached the final for 19 years is far too long for a rugby league-mad town like Warrington Warrington coach Tony Smith

Despite Smith's vast experience in the game, the high expectations he places on his players and his attention to detail, it has certainly not been plain sailing.

Centre Matt King had to apologise to the Wolves fans after an abusive gesture towards them during a heavy defeat to Harlequins in only Smith's second game in charge.

But that was the turning point for the highly rated Australian's Warrington career, which had been floundering since his big-money arrival at the start of the 2008 season, and he has gone from strength to strength since.

In May, he told the BBC: "I'd be lying if I said the thought of leaving hadn't crossed my mind but Tony Smith coming in as coach has helped my confidence and my form and I'm happy to be staying here."

His semi-final hat-trick against Wigan was evidence of a man reborn and a Cup final winner's medal was reward for his hard work, patience and the influence of Smith.

Stand-off Lee Briers, for so long the team's key figure and playmaker, was rumoured to be on his way to Barrow after he was dropped early on in Smith's tenure.

Mathers has credited Smith with his renaissance in form

But where leaving might have been the easy way out, an unlikely alliance has instead developed with Smith helping the maverick Briers achieve greater consistency and earn a new one-year-contract.

His drop-goal in the quarter-final against Hull KR won the game for Warrington, and he was man of the match in the semi-final win over Wigan.

At Wembley, he directed operations along with Lance Todd Trophy winner Michael Monaghan before kicking another trademark drop-goal with a minute left to ensure his name was on the scoresheet in his first final.

Then there is Richard Mathers, who was languishing in Wigan's reserves at the start of the season after returning from an injury-hit spell in Australia.

Smith, who had coached him at Leeds, signed Mathers as part of the deal which saw Martin Gleeson move to Wigan. A move considered by many as a big risk for Warrington has paid dividends.

"Tony had faith in me when not a lot of other people did and probably put his neck on the line," said Mathers, who scored the first try of Saturday's final.

"It shows what can happen when people have a little bit of faith in you and when you are with a group of players who care about each other as we do.

"I was welcomed at the club with open arms and I can't thank everyone enough but in the dark moments I could never have imagined I would be in this position."

Captain Adrian Morley, who was celebrating his second Challenge Cup final win after triumphing with Leeds in 1999, was also full of praise for Smith's influence.

606: DEBATE Twelve months ago, Briers was public enemy number one. Now he's the world's best - Tony Smith I think leiken26

"He's made a big difference and is a very astute coach and we are going in the right direction under him," he said.

"Tony has looked to everyone to improve their performances. He's not bothered about the result. As long as everyone plays to their potential, the result will look after itself. He challenges every player and is very smart.

"It's hard to say if we could have done it without him - he has had a very positive effect on the team and we have peaked in every round we've played in to get here.

"We've promised quite a bit over the past few years and delivered very little but now we want to compete for trophies and hopefully this win can be the catalyst.

"To not even have reached the final for 19 years is far too long for a rugby league-mad town like Warrington and we can't thank the fans enough for their support."

Typically, Smith played down his role in the success story, preferring instead to praise his players.

"These guys have been going in a pretty good direction anyway and I've been able to come in and jump on the back of a lot of good things they were already doing and about to do," he said.

"Sometimes the focus can go a little bit away from where it should be. They're the ones on the park doing it, that's where the accolades should go."

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