DURING a joint press conference for the Million Pound Game at Belle Vue, Jimmy Lowes and Brian Smith sat by side.

The sorcerer and his apprentice, 20 years after Smith took Lowes from Leeds to Odsal, were back together, only this time on a level footing as rival head coaches.

Lowes never looked back after making the switch to Bradford ahead of the 1996 season, where he developed into one the finest hookers ever produced on these shores.

The Bulls head coach won every domestic honour in the game during an eight-year spell at the club.

Almost 20 years on from his solitary season in charge of Bradford, in 1996, Smith is preparing to face Lowes for the second time in a matter of weeks after orchestrating a thumping win for the Wildcats in the second round of the Qualifiers.

Smith, 61, said: “Of all the players I’ve ever brought into a club during my time in coaching, I don’t think there has ever been anyone more effective than Jimmy.

“Maybe there were a few on equal footing with him, but he did a magnificent job for us at Bradford.

“It was a pleasure just to be his coach for the short time that we were together but, man, his effect at that club at the time went on and on for the best part of a decade.

“He was a great competitor as a player and he’s a superb competitor as a coach as you can see with where he’s got Bradford to this season. I’m proud to be sitting here next to him.”

Lowes was visibly moved by Smith’s tribute and the 45-year-old told the assembled media: “I’m just humbled by the words.

“Brian opened up my eyes as to how you play rugby when I came from Leeds to Bradford.

“I’ve got the utmost respect for him as a coach and as a bloke.

“I went through a tough period in that 1995 season at Leeds and Brian offered me a lifeline.

“I met him a couple of times and had some good chats with him.

“I actually went round to his house and had some tea with him as I signed the contract.

“He just opened my eyes to viewing the game differently and then, working with him again in 2010 on the England tour, I could see he has a composure and a calmness about him.

“I was fortunate to work with him on that tour.

“I just sat back and listened to some of the stuff he says and how he goes about his business. You can’t help but learn from the man.

“He obviously knows the game pretty well too, so there is certainly a lot of respect there.

“Like I say, it was very humbling to hear what he said, but I was just part of a very good side there at Bradford.

“Brian certainly laid a strong platform in 1996, along with some of the off-field stuff with people like Peter Deakin, who really fired the club on.

“Matty Elliott then took over the coaching reins in 1997 and really pushed on there. There were some great foundations laid by Brian, though.”