When Willie Poching took over Wakefield Trinity towards the back end of the 2021 Super League season, the club was in a bad place.
Former head coach Chris Chester had won just four games all year, and, despite leading Trinity to their best-ever Super League finishes in 2017 and 2018, could not replicate that good form.
That, as everyone knows, meant Chester lost his job with Poching given the role on an interim basis.
However, five wins from their final seven games left Wakefield in a decent position in tenth – level on points with Huddersfield Giants in ninth.
That also meant that Poching was handed the reins permanently by chief executive Michael Carter, and, Johnstone was more than happy with the appointment.
“Things towards the back end of the year with Willie were just a breath of fresh air with him just trying to get us feeling good with our rugby and in general,” Johnstone told Serious About Rugby League.
“He was making us accountable for everything we do so we understand what’s happening and why.
“That included team socials and just an all round togetherness, so for me personally it’s just a happier place to be.”
Eyes are all firmly focused on how Poching does now that he has been named permanent boss, with a number of new signings such as Lee Gaskell and Liam Hood expected to take Wakefield to the next level.
Trinity are in action against the Leeds Rhinos in their traditional Boxing Day clash.
