Super League Qualifiers are ruining long-term stability of clubs, fears Hull KR's Willie Poching

Given his club will fall into the dreaded Middle Eights if they lose against Huddersfield Giants tomorrow night, he already has one good reason to dislike the concept.

But Poching, who it was confirmed this week will leave Rovers at the end of the season, believes it would be for the sport’s greater good if the system did not exist.

Introduced last year to bring greater excitement and re-introduce the element of promotion and relegation, the Qualifiers see Super League’s bottom-four after 23 rounds and the Championship’s top-four play each other in a series of seven games to decide who plays where the following season.

Rovers – whose head of rugby Jamie Peacock was yesterday confirmed as England team manager for the Four Nations – were caught up in the relegation battle 12 months ago.

Then, they quickly eased to safety by winning all seven of their games and securing a place in the elite for 2016.

However, unless they can produce a miracle set of results over the final three rounds of regular fixtures, they will find themselves placed under jeopardy once more.

Kiwi Poching, who says he has no new employer set up yet for 2017, admitted: “I don’t like the whole concept. We play too many different seasons here. I’m not a fan of relegation anyway.

“I think if you’re going to come into Super League you have to bring something. You have to offer the competition something and help it prosper, business-wise and on the field.

“Don’t just bring any old team just because they’re the best on the field. You have to offer something to make the whole competition better and I don’t think this does.

“There’s no real long-term planning when there’s relegation.

“We saw it last year; there was teams buying players just for the Middle 8s just for survival.

“What about the poor kids who have been playing all season?

“But that’s where clubs are. They have to do that to try and save their reputation and their status in Super League.”

The former Leeds Rhinos and Warrington Wolves assistant added: “I can’t see the benefit of one game one week having a crowd of 18,000 and another the next having five.

“It’s no good one team being up at the top and the rest down the other end. We have to help bring each other up – but that’s just me.

“I’m not a fan of it. Just play the normal rounds and if you’re in the top eight, you’re in the top eight. If you miss out then you get yourself ready for next year.”

Previously, the licence system offered clubs the chance every three years to apply for a place in Super League if they had the correct criteria.

Tenth-placed Huddersfield, meanwhile, are only above Rovers, in 11th, by virtue of a superior points difference.

With three games remaining, though, both are six adrift of Castleford Tigers in the crucial eighth spot so they each know only a victory will suffice tomorrow evening.

Despite having James Green sent off, Rovers earned a 16-16 draw against high-flying Warrington last Friday to keep their faint hopes alive.

Poching, 42, said: “We’re in a very similar position to Huddersfield but we just have got to do a job. We did a fantastic one out here against Warrington with 12 men and have to show consistency now.

“We have some belief and confidence out of that game but must back it up again. If we go close to putting in a performance like that we could be okay.”

Winger David Thompson, on loan from Warrington Wolves, goes straight into their 19-man squad. Matty Marsh is also recalled and Rovers hope to have Graeme Horne fit but Green is suspended and Joe Wardill drops out as he flies to Australia with the England Academy.

Huddersfield welcome back Danny Brough (ban) for Darnell McIntosh in their only change.

Meanwhile, former Great Britain and England captain Peacock has spoken of his “privilege” at being asked to join head coach Wayne Bennett’s staff.

The ex-Leeds Rhinos prop, who finished playing last year as one of the most decorated individuals in the sport, retired from the international game in 2012 to further his domestic career.

“Representing my country whilst playing was always the proudest moments of my career and being the England Team manager will feel exactly the same,” he said.

“These are special times for England with Wayne Bennett in charge and Sam Burgess returning.

“I’m looking forward to being part of a winning England set-up.”