FORMER Wakefield Trinity head coach Willie Poching has slammed the Super League reserves grade competition and has called for more investment.
At present, the reserves grade in the UK play just one game each fortnight, whilst Down Under, the reserves grade is effectively the NRL’s second tier, playing each week in a revered competition.
For Poching, whose son Kobe is on the books of Wakefield Trinity, the system needs a massive improvement if more players are to eventually turn professional.
“Kobe is at Wakefield and William just works and plays a bit of amateur rugby league. They are both doing their thing,” Poching told League Express.
“It’s up to him if he makes it and how much he wants to make it. He has got a passion for the game and understands the sport.
“He’s has grown up around it but it is so hard nowadays for young kids on the periphery especially in reserve grade.
“It is nonsense the way the reserves play every fortnight. They’ve got to play every week.
“We talk about trying to compete with the Aussies, their reserve grade is the natural second grade. Reserve grade here is a bit lower than academy level but it should be the next step down.”
Poching has a simple plan to improve the reserves: investment.
“We need to invest a bit more energy, not necessarily money.
“Give the kids a little bit more in the scholarship, bit more in academy and bit more reserves and then get them ready for the first team.”
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