Ratcliffe previews Leeds
- Women’s Head Coach, Kris Ratcliffe, previews Saturday’s double-header at Headingley Stadium.
- Ratcliffe: “The key this week is to maintain the intensity and focus in defence for the full duration and really challenge Leeds when we have the ball.”
- Leeds Rhinos Women v Wigan Warriors Women, Saturday 9th September, Headingley Stadium (12:15pm K.O.)
Wigan Warriors Women’s Head Coach, Kris Ratcliffe, looks ahead to Saturday’s double-header at Leeds’ Headingley Stadium (12:15pm K.O.)
Reflecting on the learnings from the 2023 season so far, Ratcliffe said: “We have put ourselves in a very strong position to secure a top four finish, and a play-off Semi Final.
“All season our focus has been about building our performances and resilience to compete and challenge the top three, with Leeds being one of those teams.”
He added: “We have done that this year but have not maintained that performance level for the full 80 minutes. Small drops in intensity and concentration have cost us the results in some of the bigger games, such as the Challenge Cup Semi Final and the Nines final, both against Leeds being prime examples.”
On this week’s opposition, he said: “We know the threats that Leeds have and if we allow them to dictate the flow of the game they have skilful dangerous players across the park.
“The key this week is to maintain the intensity and focus in defence for the full duration and really challenge Leeds when we have the ball. We have plenty of dangerous runners in our side so we just have to be consistent in our processes to give them the platform and space to deliver.”
Updating on squad availability, he said: “We will get a couple of players back for this game after injury but equally will lose the experience of our Captain Rachel Thompson, who failed a HIA in our game against Huddersfield last weekend. Our more experienced players will really need to step up to help guide our young side around the park.”
He added: “What we can be sure of is that our young players won’t be phased by the occasion as they’ve stood up to all tests this year and they’re looking forward to running out at Headingley and performing again this week.”
Tickets for Saturday’s game at Headingley Stadium can be purchased HERE. Tickets include entry to both the Men’s and Women’s fixture.
