WOLVES boss Tony Smith has attacked the current structure of Super League, calling it “a train smash.”

Smith’s side have found themselves in the Qualifiers this year but have secured their place in the top flight for next year by virtue of finishing in the top three.

Saturday’s opponents Hull KR have done the same, meaning Leigh, Widnes and Catalans will battle it out for the final automatic spot with two of them going into the Million Pound Game.

However, Smith says the Super 8s structure, which debuted in 2015, is not worth the “pain and agony” it causes clubs.

“I think there’s one significant game in our division next week, the rest are dead rubbers,” he said.

“It’s a train smash, we’re all going to watch it to see which one is going to play in the next train smash.

“For the amount of pain and agony it can cause clubs, I don’t know whether a million pounds would cover it.

“Imagine if Catalans go out, what a disaster that would be for the growth of our game and all the hard work that has been done.

“Widnes as well, they have shown they are a good, hard-working contributor to Super League. It is sad really.

“If you’ve seen a lot of good footy in these Qualifiers games, I must have missed it.

“There is some interest as it’s like driving past a car accident, you slow down to see what happens.

“It’s not just coaches who are feeling that way, we need to have a good look at it as a sport and as an entertainment industry.

“I want people to love the sport I’ve grown up loving. It saddens me that I’ve fallen out of love with it and I think a lot of the fans feel that way too.”

The current structure will not be changed next year but will be reviewed ahead of the 2019 season.

Smith believes a return to the licensing system, which Super League adopted between 2009 and 2014, is the best way forward for the game.

“It happens in all parts of the world, good businesses should be rewarded for being strong. It shouldn’t just be down to one-off games for a bit of excitement,” he said.

“You should have to fulfil all sorts of criteria to play in Super League. If we would have gone through with the rules of licensing we would have had a healthy and strong competition.

“Unfortunately, I don’t think we do.

“Not for one second do I think there shouldn’t be promotion and relegation, it’s just how you do it. You’ve got to earn it, build a good business and do things right.

“Instead of creating something in Wales for the sake of it, giving them all sorts of dispensation and bending every rule to make sure it stays alive, if you’ve got a healthy club in the heartlands you go with them.”