BWSL Grand Final: Rihari ready to go back-to-back

York Valkyrie are just 80 minutes away from defending their Betfred Women’s Super League title with Lindsay Anfield’s side set to face St Helens at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Sunday 6 October (KO 4.30pm) – live on Sky Sports.

The Valkyrie will be appearing in their third successive Grand Final and they continue to step up when it matters – including during their nerve-racking 12-10 semi-final victory against Leeds Rhinos with snazzy half-back Sade Rihari being key part of this win.

“When Tamzin Renouf got sent off, I think that’s when we thought we really want this, and we’ve got to fight for the next seven minutes, however we can,” the 28-year-old said.

“I’m just so proud of the girls – it was just a gutsy performance on the try-line there and holding onto that ball. Once that hooter went, then we could finally celebrate!”

The Valkyrie have had to overcome a succession of setbacks in a challenging season, including the loss of the past two Woman of Steel winners, Sinead Peach and Tara Jane Stanley - but are more than happy to go into Sunday’s Final as underdogs:

“People said we wouldn’t get as far this year without the likes of Tara-Jane [Stanley] and Sinead [Peach], but I think that just shows the adversity in our team and the depth we’ve got as well - no matter who puts on that top, anyone can do the job, so I’m really proud of the girls.

“You can see how far we’ve come, because now we’re just 80 minutes away from winning that Grand Final again.”

York last travelled to the Totally Wicked Stadium in August but fell to a 10-6 defeat. A first half try from Wilton, converted by Stanley, closed the gap at half-time to just four points after a dominant opening from Saints.

However, a tight but scoreless second half meant the Valkyrie would return home without the win and the New Zealander knows their rematch will be equally as tough:

“Saints have got experience throughout the whole squad. Their halves are just phenomenal and their kicking games. Faye Gaskin - you can't fault her. She's got so much experience.

“Even the middle pack - you have Jodie Cunningham, Emily Rudge, Paige Travis, so we're just going to look to control the ruck and play our game and the game we knew. We have to trust the process and hopefully we can pull it off.”

And despite this defeat on the road, the Valkyrie had previously recorded an emphatic home victory over Saints earlier on in season after snatching a 20-16 win back in Round 1. With two close contests to have already taken place in 2024, could we see another in their biggest game of the year?

Rihari is no stranger to big occasions following a Player of the Match performance for Huddersfield Giants when they won the Betfred Women’s Super League Shield in 2021, and of course, last year’s Grand Final triumph. But she’s still just as excited for Sunday 6 October as if it was her first ever final:

“I’m really excited for this year’s Grand Final,” she admitted.

“Last year we set that benchmark with the game being at the LNER Community Stadium with a record-breaking 4,500+ crowd.

“You know, with the fans turning up - it's all about the next generation coming through. Whenever you see the young girls and boys in the crowd and you just think and hope one day they get to run out like us.”

And whilst York won’t be defending their title on home soil, she’s hoping the support is still strong on match-day:

“We’re not going to be at home this year, but if York supporters and the Saints supporters can get there, then that'll mean a lot, but also for any other supporters too, then that would mean everything to us too.”

Can York Valkyrie and Rihari go back-to-back in the BWSL? 

The Betfred Women’s Super League Grand Final will take place at The Totally Wicked Stadium on Sunday 6 October (K.O. 4.30pm) and will be shown live on Sky Sports. 

Be there to witness the action with tickets on sale now!