JOHN Bastian is working tirelessly to create a bright future at Warrington Wolves and once successful, he would be happy to entrust that future to Tony Smith.

Appointed as director of youth development in October, Bastian is charged with establishing Wolves’ academy system as one of the best in rugby league.

In less than six months the club has already made significant steps towards that ultimate goal but Bastian believes that under Smith, those strides could become even greater.

The pair worked together for four years at Leeds Rhinos, where Smith gave Bastian his big break, appointing him head of youth development at the Yorkshire club in 2006.

Their partnership reaped major rewards, bringing through an impressive crop of homegrown talent that helped the club win two Super League titles during their tenure and has contributed to Rhinos’ continued success.

Bastian was first to make the move across the Pennines but when Smith followed, appointed head of coaching and rugby three weeks ago, the big Yorkshire man became instantly excited by the prospect of working with his mentor once more.

He said: “Tony’s had a big influence on my development as a person and also as a coach. I owe him a big debt there.

"There are a lot of people who do influence you and do help you develop as a coach but if I had to say who has been the biggest influence it would be Tony Smith.

“I’m looking forward to working with him long-term. He sets very high standards and I’ve probably got a lot of those traits from Tony over the years at Leeds.

“It’ll be good to work alongside him and to be challenged by him. Hopefully I can progress myself as well and improve myself as a coach.

“He was very proactive with the youth development and when players from the youth structure had earned the right to be with the first-grade squad he gave them every opportunity at Leeds. He’s very forward thinking with that.”

During Smith’s tenure at Rhinos, a number of talented academy products graduated to the first-grade squad, including the likes of Lee Smith, Ryan Hall and Carl Ablett.

And Bastian credits Smith’s extreme attention to detail and insistence on a good work ethic for his success in player development.

He said: “He’s next to none in terms of attention to detail. Each player, he will try and improve and develop, to improve them as rugby players and people.

“Tony works very hard and he creates a healthy disciplined environment, mainly around the football team but around the staff as well.

“He does want you to enjoy your job and enjoy training but also to have a good work ethic and be close as a team as well.

“He cares about his players and his staff and he’ll give his staff every bit of support he can give them.

“That’s just him, he’s not selfish, he wants everybody to challenge themselves and improve and if he can help them do that he will.

“As well as the players, it will help Jimmy Lowes working alongside him. Jimmy’s a very talented coach and I think their partnership will work, I really do.”

But it is not just playing matters that concern Smith.

Bastian added: "He’ll take a big interest in the supporters as well.

"He’s a big fan so he knows how important they are. He knows their money is hard earned and their loyalty to a club is really important.

"Tony will want his football team to perform to a really high standard, not just for the club but for the supporters and players as well."