NPC rising star #3 - Lance Poching

No one was more surprised than Lance Poching when he was selected but he's determined to make the most of his chance. Picture / Dean Purcell

University will have to wait for at least another semester for Lance Poching after the promising hooker was named in the Auckland NPC squad last week.

Poching, who was set to start a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation degree at Auckland University of Technology next week, was surprised at his inclusion in the squad.

"But you take your chances as they come," he said.

"Being around the most elite athletes in New Zealand, it's really overwhelming."

The 20-year-old packs down for the Otahuhu club alongside his brother Junior, who, he says, has had a lot to do with his path in rugby.

Born in New Zealand, Poching moved to Australia with his parents when he was 7 and began playing league. Upon his return a few years later, he picked up rugby.

"My older brother was coming through the grades so I switched to rugby," Poching said.

"He's influenced most of my rugby. The past few years he's slipped back a bit but he's coming right. He helps me out a lot."

Poching says his proudest rugby moment was winning the under-19 World Cup last year in South Africa, particularly when he scored the first try in the final.

"I knew the games weren't going to be shown here, but when I scored the try I knew it would make the news and my first thought was, my dad's going to see me playing."

His main goal this season is to improve as a player, and to learn from the older players in the team.

Another member of the successful Auckland academy system, Poching describes it as intense with a lot of off-season training.

"It's a year-round thing, but once club starts up you're just training Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights and Wednesday mornings.

"When the club season's off you're training every day."

Which is why he doesn't have a lot of time for study.

* Lance Poching

Age: 20
Position: Hooker
Club: Otahuhu
Height: 1.67m
Weight: 105kg