'It’s do or die': Leeds Rhinos women's season on the line in semi-final showdown with St Helens
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Rhinos finished third in the five-team table, four points behind leaders York City Knights and two adrift of St Helens, who they face in a play-off semi-final at Headingley on Sunday (5.15pm)
Successive losses to Saints and York, last Sunday, shattered Leeds’ hopes of finishing top and they will be underdogs in the second part of a double-header also featuring the Knights against fourth-placed Wigan Warriors (3pm).
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Hide AdBut Rhinos are aiming for a third successive Grand Final appearance and Winfield-Hill stressed: “It’s do or die, that can be an incredibly motivating thing and hopefully it brings out the best in the girls.”
Saints, the reigning champions, beat Leeds in this year’s Challenge Cup final, but Rhinos avenged that with a 20-18 win at TW Stadium in June.
“We definitely have to take confidence from the win over at St Helens earlier in the season,” Winfield-Hill pledged.
“Even though they beat us [30-22] a few weeks ago, when you watch it in review it’s quite clear to see where we missed a few opportunities to capitalise.
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Hide Ad“Those things certainly instil a lot of belief that they are not unbeatable and we have got the capacity to turn them over.”
Rhinos led 10-0 against York last week, but couldn’t build on their strong start and were beaten 22-14.
An ankle injury suffered by stand-off and former Woman of Steel Georgia Roche was a huge blow, but Winfield-Hill believes Leeds can cope if star players are missing this weekend.
She said: “It just means an opportunity for others to step up.
“We pride ourselves on the depth in our squad.”
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Hide AdHome advantage could be crucial and Winfield-Hill appealed for Rhinos fans to turn out for the double-header.
“It’s lovely when the North Stand has a few people in it, because the atmosphere and the echo it creates out on the pitch is terrific,” she said.
“The double-header will hopefully be enticing for people to come in and for £5, that’s value for money to watch two games in a terrific facility.”