It came as quite a surprise this morning, but Willie Poching and Francis Cummins will no longer be a part of Wakefield Trinity heading into the 2023 Super League season.
Despite being near the bottom of the table for most of the season, Poching managed to turn things around towards the back end of the season, steering the West Yorkshire side to safety and even to tenth.
However, Poching and Cummins have fallen on the sword with Trinity looking to head in another direction for 2023.
With Tony Smith heading to Hull FC after managing neighbours Hull KR, people have begun to put two and two together, believing that the former Wakefield duo could be heading for the MKM Stadium after previously working alongside Smith.
However, Smith, in his first press conference as a Hull coach, rejected such claims.
“I’ve had no discussions about future employment with them,” Smith told the Yorkshire Post.
“I think this has all come a little bit unexpectedly for them.
“I feel for them. I know what it’s like to be on the other side of it. It’s hard and we all feel for each other.
“They’ve tried their best there and sometimes it just doesn’t work out in sport and the chemistry doesn’t gel no matter how good you are.
“I’m sure those two boys will work something out. I’ve worked with both of them and they’re quality people.”
One man who is expected to join Smith in his Black and Whites revolution is Stanley Gene, who left the Robins earlier on today.
The club said: “The club would like to thank Stan for his contribution over the last three seasons.”
It ushers in a brand new era at both Hull clubs with Willie Peters arriving early to Craven Park in a bid to get to grips with his Super League squad.
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