Warrington coach Tony Smith insists the self-doubt that plagued the club before his arrival in 2009 has finally been banished as the Wolves prepare for their first-ever Super League Grand Final on Saturday.
Smith will become the first coach in Super League history to lead out two different sides in the Grand Final when Warrington face Leeds at Old Trafford.
And the former Leeds boss, who guided the Wolves to the Challenge Cup title in August defeating this weekend’s opponents in the final, could also become the first coach since 2006 to secure the double.
But, despite the record books being readied for a re-write against the Rhinos at the weekend, Smith claims his three-year stint at the Halliwell Jones Stadium has been about more than just personal accolades.
“I think we’ve broken some of the perceptions of ourselves from a few years ago,” said Smith. “People talk about us as one of the big clubs but it was only three or four years ago that we were 10th and struggling.
“This is a part of our progression as a club and we’re very proud of it. It was important to win the League Leaders’ Shield last season — we’d never considered ourselves as a consistent team before then — we could handle some important matches on occasions but then falter the following week.
“Last year was a big one for us. We perceived ourselves as consistent and we’ve backed that up with another consistent season. And now, we see ourselves as competing in the bigger matches more regularly.
“It’s nice to know that I can do it at different places. That’s what you believe in, that the cultures that you try to create can work not just at one place but others as well.”
While Smith has no real selection headaches going into the Old Trafford clash, Leeds coach Brian McDermott has to consider whether to recall former Parramatta Eels second row Weller Hauraki.
Hauraki, who hasn’t played since the final regular season game against Huddersfield last month, will depart for pastures new for the 2013 season when he joins Castleford Tigers.
And the second-row leaves with the best wishes of Leeds captain Kevin Sinfield, who claims Hauraki’s off-field impact has been crucial throughout the play-off run.