Ex-Wakefield Trinity boss and Leeds Rhinos player makes bold semi-final prediction for Rugby League World Cup

It’s been a funny few months for Willie Poching.

The former Leeds Rhinos player has been through a lot since the end of the Super League season.

He over saw a great end to the season for Wakefield Trinity as they saw off a relegation threat and even pushed Warrington Wolves between them and Toulouse Olympique at the bottom.

However, despite this he left Belle Vue as Mark Applegarth took over.

Poching, a former Samoa skipper, was invited to boost moral in the Samoa squad after their shock 60-6 defeat to England only to be turned away in a gutting moment for the former Wakefield boss.

However, a top notch character, he is still as positive as ever and gave insight into what he expects from this weekend’s Rugby League World Cup semi-finals with a bold prediction for tonight’s game.

Speaking on BBC Radio Leeds, he said: “I’m going to tip the Kiwis, the battle hardening of that tough game, going through and really fighting it out will put them in a good position.”

Meanwhile, former Wakefield Trinity and Bradford Bulls halfback Ben Jeffries said: “They had a tough game against Fiji, they will be battle hardened and Michael Maguire will have them ready and it will be a really close game.

“These conditions and two great defences, I don’t see there being many points. It will be a very close game.”