Will Poching delays reunion with dad to follow in his footsteps in dream cup tie

WILL Poching is ready to follow in his father’s footsteps by starring at Headingley – postponing his return to New Zealand to live the dream.

And there is more than one reason why he is glad London amateurs Wests Warriors’ tie was switched. He lives just down the road.

The son of Rhinos favourite Willie will go from fan to player today after the Challenge Cup third round draw produced the Southern Conference League side’s ultimate tie.

So much so, he has put off joining his dad in Auckland to fulfil his fantasy.

Poching, born in Australia but with a thick West Yorkshire accent, said: “After I was made redundant, I was planning to return to New Zealand and play for my dad’s team in Auckland, Marist Saints, where my uncle is head coach.

“Playing for my dad and uncle will be pretty cool but on the day I was looking at flights, the cup draw came out.

“When we drew Leeds, I was like, ‘Sorry mum and dad. I’m going to have to push back the flights a bit.’

“The odds may be against us but I’ll still book my flights after the game. It could be a case of play at Leeds then go to New Zealand.

“It still feels surreal. I went every Friday from being five or six-years-old until I was 13 or 14. I’d get upset when we couldn’t get to games.

“So to get to walk out at Headingley, to hear Marching On Together, will be pretty crazy.

“And I was glad the tie was switched – not just for personal reasons. Although it will be a 25-minute drive rather than a four-hour one.”

Wests Warriors, based at Wasps RU in Acton, West London, travelled up last night and stayed at Headingley’s hotel before the 200-yard walk to the pitch.

Joining them will be Poching, who lives in Wakefield but plays for the club through a connection with coach Kimbo Parkinson.

He is under no illusions about the task. Whoever wears a Leeds shirt will pose a huge test, but this is a chance to show talent is there in the capital.

And he would have loved for two of the Rhinos’ youngsters to take the field so he could get a sentimental photo – Jack Sinfield and Joe Diskin, sons of his father’s team-mates Kevin and Matt.

The 28-year-old, who has racked up the miles to attend training and games, added: “To draw a Super League team is pretty crazy – I’ve never played a Championship or League One team in the cup.

“And we can show rugby league talent is there in London – but I’m the only one who lives outside there.

“I’ve known Kimbo since I was about 10-years-old and I used to go to London regularly to see friends and cousins who live there.

“Sometimes I’ll stay there for the week, sometimes I’ll travel down for training when I can. In the last six months, I’ve made 15 to 20 journeys there.

“It would be pretty cool if Jack and Joe play. A photo of us together would be pretty funny and cool.”

“And all my mates have said they’ve got tickets just to watch me get smashed – no messages of encouragement.

“It’s just, ‘I hope you get smashed on Saturday!’