Willie POCHING [
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Tue July 13, 2010
Source: www.therhinos.co.ukLeeds Rhinos have announced that Assistant coaches Francis Cummins and Willie Poching will be leaving the Engage Super League Champions at the end of the current season.
Both have been integral parts of the club's backroom team for the past three Grand Final glories having had successful playing careers at the Rhinos.
For Cummins it will bring to an end a 17-year relationship with Leeds Rhinos, the past five of which have been as assistant to Tony Smith and then Brian McClennan. Poching, 36, retired a year after Cummins and has been at Headingley Carnegie since joining the club as a player in 2002.
Commenting on his decision to leave the Rhinos, 33-year-old Cummins said, "I believe the timing is right now to confirm my intention to look for a fresh challenge for 2011 and beyond. I have been privileged to spend half my life at this great club but having spent five years as an assistant coach, it is appropriate that I look to take the next step and become a Head Coach. Obviously, there is no vacancy here at the Rhinos and that means I must look elsewhere.
"During my time at the club, I have seen us fight off relegation, change ownership and emerge from a period of underachievement to create a Championship winning squad and mentality.
"The nature of professional sport is that every season, people announce their intentions for the following season before the conclusion of the current campaign. Fortunately, we have a squad in place for 2011 and, having considered my options over the last six months, now is the correct time to announce my plans for next season. I do not have a position to go to at present so there is an element of risk there however I have belief in myself and my abilities thanks to the encouragement I have received down the years here at Leeds. As far as my role at the Rhinos for the 2010 season is concerned, it will definitely be a case of business as usual and we are all striving to reach our goals for the year," added Cummins.
Poching, who was Assistant Coach of Samoa at the last World Cup before becoming Head Coach last season, admitted that it will be a tough day when he finally leaves the Rhinos. "Having been at the Rhinos for eight years, I can honestly say this has been the happiest and most successful period of my rugby career.
"Leeds have been a massive part of mine and my families life and we have immensely enjoyed our time here. I feel very proud of my achievements here, both as a player and as part of the coaching staff, in contributing to the success of the club. When the opportunity to join the Rhinos coaching staff arose four years ago, it was one I took with both hands and I have never looked back. I have learnt a tremendous amount under the previous Head Coach Tony Smith, and now under Brian McClennan.
"After nearly nine years though, it is time to move on, and if I am going to develop further, I need to expand on that knowledge base in a new environment. Like Franny, I do not have a position with another club at present, but I am looking to continue coaching, either as an Assistant coach in Super League or a Head Coach for a National League 1 side.
"However, for now the focus must be to ensure that Leeds finish the season successfully, then to look forward to the new challenges that lie ahead," added Poching.
Leeds Rhinos Chief Executive Gary Hetherington commented, "Francis and Willie have been key parts of this clubs success in recent years. Firstly as players, when they helped changed the culture of the club as senior members of the squad into a winning habit that nurtured young players to fulfil their potential. Then as coaches, alongside Tony Smith and latterly Brian McClennan, as they have guided the club during the most successful period in our history.
"Our policy as a club is to nurture talent, be it players or coaches. As we did with Brian McDermott and Tony Smith, we will always encourage our staff to reach for their full potential even if that means leaving our own organisation. I know that both Francis and Willie are completely committed to the club for the remainder of the season and then it will be appropriate for us to wish them all the best for the future. For now, we are looking forward to competing for the top four in Super League and our huge game with St Helens in the Carnegie Challenge Cup semi final," added Hetherington.
Head Coach Brian McClennan praised both men's contribution to the club. "Franny has been the right hand man for both myself and Tony Smith during an incredible period of success for the club and he is ready to take up the reigns in his own right at a Super League club. I am sure whichever club is fortunate enough to appoint him will be very happy with the progress their club makes under his leadership. Franny is hands on with everything involving the Rhinos first team including field sessions, reviews, previews, tactics and team selection and he has an extensive knowledge base.
"Willie is pretty close to Franny in terms of his readiness for a Head Coaches job. As well as his duties with the first team, he has also looked after our emerging players in the Under 20s, many of whom have proved their quality in recent years by graduating up to Super League. Both of the guys will be integral to our efforts for the remainder of the season and the club will support them as they look to the next chapter of their coaching career," added McClennan.
Thu August 13, 2009
by Matthew O'Neill
Leeds Rhinos assistant coach Willie Poching has been named as Head Coach of the Toa Samoa side for the 2009 Pacific Cup later this year.
Poching, who played for Samoa in the 1995 World Cup and captained the side in the tournament in 2000, was assistant coach to John Ackland in last years World Cup in Australia and has now been handed the Head Coach's role.
Commenting on his appointment Poching said, "I have always been immensely proud to represent Samoa and it is an honour to be named Head Coach. John Ackland has done a great job over the past four years to revive Samoan Rugby League and now hopefully I can build on the work he has done and continue what he has started. The players that he brought on board like Ali Lauitiiti and Tony Puletua will still be involved and we will be using these high profile guys lto attract more players to the squad.
"We will name a training squad in the next few weeks and I think people will be surprised by a few of the names who have come forward to represent Samoa," added Poching.
Toa Samoa face a play off match against the Cook Islands on the 17th October in Cairns with the winner earning a place in the newly formatted Pacific Cup, which will take place in Papua New Guinea. If Samoa beat the Cook Islands they will face Fiji in the semi finals with the winner taking on the winner of the other clash between Papua New Guinea and Tonga.
The winner of the Final will not only be crowned Pacific Cup Champions but will also earn a place in the Gillette Four Nations in 2010 to face Rugby League super powers Australia, New Zealand and England in Australia. Poching admits that the incentive of a place at the top table of world Rugby League is a massive motivation for his squad.
Poching added, "As players, all we have ever asked for was regular fixtures for Samoa. The new international programme stretching out to the World Cup in 2013 in England is fantastic for the developing nations and means that we can plan for the future. There has been an emergence of young Samoan talent in the NRL and Super League and hopefully we can capitalise on that.
"For a small country, we do extremely well in sport and not just Rugby League and Rugby Union. There are Samoans involved in sport across the globe from sumo to the NFL and hopefully, if we can produce a successful national side, it will really help put Samoa on the map," added Poching.
Since his retirement in 2006, Poching has worked under Tony Smith and now Brian McClennan as an assistant coach with the Rhinos looking after the Reserve Academy as well as having first team duties
He admits the chance to coach on the international stage is a great opportunity for himself personally as well. "It is a great chance to continue my coaching development and work with world class athletes. I will have to lead the group in this environment and give them direction that I think will work for them to make us successful. That is a challenge I am very much looking forward to."
Poching joined Leeds Rhinos as a player in 2002 having started his career at Marist, Mt Albert and Northcote in Auckland. Poching represented the Junior Kiwis in 1991-92, captaining them in 1992 and then went onto represent Samoa at the World Cup in 1995 and 2000, the latter as captain.
He was part of the inaugural Auckland team in 1995, before moving onto North Queensland in 1996, Hunter Mariners in 1997, St George in 1998 and then coming to England and signing for Hunslet. From Hunslet he joined Wakefield, where he made his name in Super League before joining the Rhinos. He retired at the end of the 2006 season having helped the Rhinos to their first Grand Final win in 32 years in 2004 and scoring a try in the Carnegie World Club Challenge win over Canterbury Bulldogs in 2005. He also represented New Zealand in 2005 in their tour match against England.
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 2006 engage English Super League
Leeds Rhinos
21 games; 6 tries, 24 points.
[View] Round 1 [12 Feb 06] W 20-12 v Huddersfield (H). [BE]
[View] Round 2 [17 Feb 06] W 24-16 v Wigan (A). [BE]
[View] Round 3 [24 Feb 06] L 4-13 v St Helens (A). [BE]
[View] Round 4 [05 Mar 06] W 66-14 v Castleford (H). [SR] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 5 [11 Mar 06] W 58-10 v Les Catalans (A). [SR]
[View] Round 6 [17 Mar 06] W 20-12 v Salford City (H). [SR]
[View] Round 7 [25 Mar 06] W 60-0 v Harlequins (A). [SR] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 8 [07 Apr 06] W 34-26 v Hull (A). [SR] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 9 [13 Apr 06] L 18-20 v Bradford (H). [SR]
[View] Round 10 [17 Apr 06] W 24-18 v Salford City (A). [SR]
[View] Round 12 [01 May 06] L 16-44 v Warrington (A). [BE]
[View] Round 13 [05 May 06] W 36-24 v Harlequins (H). [BE] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 14 [12 May 06] L 28-44 v Hull FC (H). [SR]
[View] Round 15 [26 May 06] W 30-0 v Bradford (A). [BE] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 16 [09 Jun 06] W 48-22 v Wigan (H). [LK]
[View] Round 17 [16 Jun 06] W 19-18 v Salford City (A). [BE] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 18 [23 Jun 06] W 36-20 v Wakefield (H). [SR]
[View] Round 19 [02 Jul 06] W 36-14 v Huddersfield (A). [SR]
[View] Round 21 [16 Jul 06] L 30-31 v Castleford (A). [SR]
[View] Round 22 [22 Jul 06] L 14-18 v St Helens (H). [BE]
[View] Round 25 [18 Aug 06] W 14-12 v Wakefield (A). [BE]
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2005 English Super League
Leeds Rhinos
27 games; 10 tries, 40 points.
[View] Round 1 [11 Feb 05] W 16-12 v Hull FC (A). [BE]
[View] Round 2 [18 Feb 05] W 30-18 v St Helens (H). [BE] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 3 [27 Feb 05] W 66-8 v Widnes (H). [BE] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 4 [06 Mar 05] W 54-10 v Huddersfield (A). [BE]
[View] Round 6 [18 Mar 05] W 30-12 v Salford (A). [SR]
[View] Round 7 [24 Mar 05] W 42-12 v Bulls (A). [BE]
[View] Round 8 [28 Mar 05] L 28-44 v Wildcats (H). [BE]
[View] Round 9 [09 Apr 05] W 64-6 v London (H). [SR] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 10 [15 Apr 05] W 38-14 v Wigan (A). [SR] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 11 [23 Apr 05] W 42-20 v Widnes (A). [SR]
[View] Round 12 [29 Apr 05] W 44-14 v Huddersfield (H). [SR] 8 Pts; 2t
[View] Round 13 [13 May 05] W 60-4 v Leigh (A). [SR]
[View] Round 14 [20 May 05] W 42-24 v Leigh (H). [SR]
[View] Round 15 [27 May 05] L 24-38 v St Helens (A). [SR]
[View] Round 16 [03 Jun 05] W 34-14 v Hull (H). [BE]
[View] Round 17 [10 Jun 05] W 70-6 v Wildcats (A). [BE] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 18 [18 Jun 05] W 70-0 v Wigan (H). [BE]
[View] Round 19 [01 Jul 05] W 36-26 v Bulls (H). [BE]
[View] Round 20 [09 Jul 05] L 24-32 v London (A). [BE]
[View] Round 21 [15 Jul 05] W 54-14 v Salford (H). [BE] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 22 [23 Jul 05] W 46-22 v Warrington (A). [BE]
[View] Round 23 [07 Aug 05] W 74-0 v Leigh (A). [SR]
[View] Round 26 [02 Sep 05] L 22-24 v Wigan (A). [BE]
[View] Round 27 [10 Sep 05] L 16-33 v Warrington (A). [SR]
[View] Round 28 [16 Sep 05] W 34-26 v Wildcats (H). [SR] 8 Pts; 2t
[View] Qualifying Semi-Final [30 Sep 05] W 19-16 v St Helens (A). [SR]
[View] Grand Final [15 Oct 05] L 6-15 v Bulls. [SR]
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Poching, Willie
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