21 Facts About Willie Poching

Willie Poching is a New Zealand professional rugby league football coach and former player.

Willie Poching is the former head-coach of Wakefield Trinity in the Super League.

Willie Poching made the Junior Kiwis in 1991 and captained the side in 1992.

Willie Poching played in 4 games for Auckland between 1992 and 1993, before signing a junior contract with the Brisbane Broncos for 1994.

Willie Poching represented the Junior Kiwis in 1991 and 1992, captaining the side in 1992.

Willie Poching joined the Auckland Warriors in 1995, however he only played two games for the club and was not re-signed for the 1996 season.

Willie Poching played for Western Samoa at the 1995 World Cup, and captained Samoa during their 2000 World Cup.

Over his long career Willie Poching played for Wakefield Trinity and was a huge crowd favourite and club captain for his final season.

Willie Poching then joined the Leeds club in the Super League.

Willie Poching played for the Leeds side from the interchange bench in their 2004 Super League Grand Final victory against the Bradford club.

Willie Poching played for Leeds side in the 2005 Challenge Cup Final from the interchange bench in their loss against Hull FC.

Willie Poching played for Leeds at second-row in their 2005 Super League Grand Final loss against Bradford.

Willie Poching played his single game for New Zealand against England at Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington during the 2005 Tri-Nations campaign.

Willie Poching was forced to retire due to injury at the completion of 2006 season.

Willie Poching was the academy coach at Leeds as well as the head coach of Samoa.

Willie Poching moved from Leeds to become assistant coach to Tony Smith at the Warrington club in the 2010 post season, and coached the team to win the League Leader's Shield in 2011, Challenge Cup in 2012, and to two Grand Final defeats in 2012 and 2013.

Willie Poching signed as assistant coach at the Salford side for the 2017 season.

Willie Poching later re-joined Hull Kingston Rovers and Tony Smith as assistant coach before returning to Wakefield Trinity as an interim head coach.

Willie Poching was named head coach on 22 September 2021 after a successful interim stint.

On 12 September 2022, Willie Poching announced he was departing Wakefield Trinity.

Willie Poching gave son Kobe Willie Poching, his Super League debut in the Boxing Day 2021 clash between Wakefield and Leeds.