Poching returns: ‘As soon as I put the phone down, I knew I was going to do it’

Former Toa Samoa and Kiwis international Willie Poching has been named as the assistant coach for Toa Samoa, fourteen years after last being involved with the team.

Toa Samoa are gearing up for their Pacific Championship run, where they will be amongst tier one nations Australia and New Zealand in an exciting series of matches.

Poching says he was shocked when asked to join the coaching staff for their 2023 campaign.

“It was quite a shock to me when I got the phone call from coach Ben Garner, to see if I would come on as an assistant. I hadn’t really thought of it, I had to speak to my wife about it.

“As soon as I put the phone down, I knew I was going to do it, I knew I was gonna come back in. To be back helping our country out again.”

Poching was part of the coaching staff for Toa Samoa’s 2008 Rugby League World Cup run, and was head coach for the team in 2009.

Fourteen years later, Poching says returning to his coaching is massive, especially off the back of the success Toa Samoa had at last year’s world cup.

“The calibre of players we have now is totally different to what we had fourteen years ago across the board. We had Ali Lauitiiti’, Tony Puletua, Nigel Vagana when we coached them in 2009.

“But you look at the spread from one to 20, they’re all NRL superstars. I’m excited to go into camp and learn from those players, and learn from the staff and coach.

“And hopefully impart some of my knowledge and we can go out there and give everything we’ve got.”

Poching says his goal this year is to continue building a strong foundation for players who want to represent Toa Samoa, following their historic run last year.

“The success of the team at the World Cup has encouraged others around the world to put the blue jersey on.

“It’ll always be the incentive for players over there (in Australia) to wear the green and gold, and for those who grew up here to wear the black and white for New Zealand.

“We want to give them the opportunity to wear the jersey for Toa Samoa, and wear it proudly and successfully as they did last year.”