Willie Poching appointed Wakefield Trinity head coach | Rugby League News

Willie Poching was placed in temporary charge of Wakefield after Chris Chester was sacked in August; the 48-year-old has now been confirmed as permanent head coach; Poching: « I’m extremely proud to coach the team of the city I live in and have lived in a for a long time »

Willie Poching says a decade-long apprenticeship has fully prepared him to become a head coach after he was confirmed in the role by Wakefield.

The 48-year-old former Trinity forward stepped in as interim boss following the sacking of Chris Chester in August and enhanced his reputation by guiding the team to five wins from their last seven matches of the Super League season.

Wakefield chief executive Michael Carter says he had around 15 expressions of interest in the job and, after speaking to people outside the club and to senior players, chose Poching from a four-man shortlist.

« I am delighted that Willie has agreed to become the new head coach of Wakefield Trinity, » Carter said.

« I think Willie has shown over the last six or seven weeks how thorough he can be as a head coach and how he can get his message across to the playing group.

Poching was placed in charge of the side after Chris Chester was sacked in August

« The board have felt that it is Willie’s time. He has done a long apprenticeship as a head coach, it was a unanimous decision to go with Willie.

« It became an easy decision as time went on. I think he deserves it for what he has done, not only in the last six or seven weeks, but over the course of his coaching career.

« I think Wakefield Trinity is a good fit for Willie and Willie is a good fit for Wakefield Trinity. »

Poching, a New Zealand and Samoa international, made 69 appearances for the club from 1999-2001 before going on to spend five seasons with Leeds, where he was a member of their 2004 Grand Final-winning team.

After hanging up his boots, Poching undertook assistant coaching roles with Leeds, Warrington, Salford, Huddersfield and Hull KR before joining Wakefield’s backroom staff at the start of the 2021 season.

Highlights from the Betfred Super League clash between Wakefield Trinity and Hull FC.

Poching said: « I’m extremely proud to coach the team of the city I live in and have lived in for a long time.

« There’s been a lot of success at this club but not for a little while and to be able to lead that and get some of that back is a challenge I’m looking forward to.

« There were times when I did question whether this would happen. I kept chasing and I’m here now. I’ve just got to prove it to myself that I can do it.

« It’s been a long road but I’ve learnt a lot along the way. While I questioned it at times, every team that I worked with taught me something and within that there are a lot of valuable lessons. »