PAUL Rauhihi says the Warrington Wolves playing squad would be happy for Jimmy Lowes to become the club’s head coach on a permanent basis after four wins from his first five games in charge.

Wolves scored 60 points for the first time in a league match at The Halliwell Jones Stadium when they completed an impressive 60-24 hammering of play-off rivals Wakefield on Sunday to move up to fifth in Super League.

They will be bidding to consolidate their position when they host sixth-placed Bradford tomorrow, Friday, at 8pm.

Lowes is currently in charge until the end of the season and the board are likely to wait until after the play-offs before deciding whether to give him the job permanently or bring in someone else.

Various names have already been linked to the job but no approaches are thought to have been made for other coaches.

And a much rumoured move for Tony Smith, who is under contract with the RFL and has pledged his commitment to the England job, is not believed to be on the agenda.

That gives Lowes the chance to make the job his and Rauhihi believes Paul Cullen’s former assistant has already done enough to prove he is capable of being the head coach for the long term.

Rauhihi has played under some big-name coaches during his career - including Warren Ryan, Steve Folkes, Daniel Anderson, Brian McClennan and Graham Murray - and thinks Lowes has what it takes.

Asked whether the squad would be happy for Lowes to take permanent charge, the former New Zealand international said: “From the players I’ve spoken to and myself, yes.

“I think he’s probably done enough to prove that he’s right up there with the top level coaches.

“Coaches are there to get results and he’s doing that at the moment. That’s all you want at the end of the day.

“As for our performances over the rest of the season, I don’t know if that’s going to have too much bearing on whether he gets it or not.

“But as long as the team keeps improving, I presume that hopefully will be enough to get him the job.

“I don’t know if our recent performances have been a sudden change or something that’s built up over the whole year.

“We had some pretty good games earlier on in the year as well, playing St Helens and losing those games, which was a bit disappointing to play well and lose.

“I don’t think Jimmy’s changed a whole lot but he seems to be doing the right things in training.

“He’s got a real good balance.

“Everyone knows he’s a joker and likes to have a laugh every now and then, but he knows when it’s time to have a joke and when it’s time to get serious.

“He doesn’t take any rubbish from any of the players and he doesn’t give it to us.

“He’s really good. He’s harsh when he needs to be harsh and has a laugh when you need to have a laugh.”

* Wolves’ home match against Leeds has been brought forward to Saturday, August 2, at 7pm.