Wigan Warriors will face their fierce rivals St Helens in the Women’s Super League Grand Final on October 5, 2023. The match will take place at the Brick Community Stadium, starting at 17:00 local time, and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports+. This highly anticipated showdown marks a repeat of the Women’s Challenge Cup final held in June, where Wigan triumphed with a dominant 42-6 victory at Wembley, securing their first trophy of the year.
The Grand Final venue was determined by Wigan’s achievement in securing the League Leaders’ Shield, establishing them as the highest-ranked team in the competition. As they aim for a historic treble, Wigan’s recent performance solidified their status as contenders. In the semi-finals, they delivered a commanding display against Leeds Rhinos, winning 38-0 in front of a record crowd of 2,108 fans for a Women’s Super League match.
Coaching Insights and Player Highlights
Wigan head coach Denis Betts expressed satisfaction with his team’s defensive efforts during the semi-final. “I love a zero. The tries were really good, but I thought defensively we had to work hard because we tried to overplay a couple of times. But that’s in our nature at the moment. We want to play with the ball,” Betts remarked in an interview with Sky Sports. He emphasized the team’s growth, noting, “We’ve grown to a point where we actually enjoy playing when we haven’t got the ball, and that to me is gold dust.”
Among the standout players, full-back Grace Banks, who celebrated her 20th birthday on the day of the semi-final, lauded her teammates for their contributions. “It’s a privilege and makes my birthday even more special. It was a forward-dominated game; it was all through the middle. Special credit to Ruby Hunter on the wing. Coming in the last two games, she’s been incredible,” Banks stated.
Another key player, Eva Hunter, has garnered attention for her impressive performance. Banks praised her skills, saying, “I think there are no words to describe how good Eva Hunter is at rugby to be honest. She’s a freak. She’s so good, and there’s no doubt she was going to score tonight.”
Saints’ Road to the Final
On the other side of the competition, St Helens secured their spot in the Grand Final by narrowly defeating reigning champions York Valkyrie with a score of 12-8 at the Totally Wicked Stadium. Player-of-the-match Katie Mottershead highlighted the team’s determination in their semi-final clash. “It was a massive team effort, especially digging deep there in the end. We dug in deep, and I kept going when I could. That last minute, I was on the bench and couldn’t sit still,” Mottershead shared.
As the teams prepare for what promises to be an exhilarating Grand Final, both Wigan Warriors and St Helens will be looking to assert their dominance in the Women’s Super League, aiming for not only victory but also a celebration of the sport’s growing popularity in the region. The clash will undoubtedly attract significant attention, showcasing the talent and competitive spirit within women’s rugby league.
