Saints won the cup for the first time in 2021 with Hardcastle causing havoc in the centres before making it a double the following year with an Elland Road victory over Leeds Rhinos.
Hardcastle switched sides at the start of 2023 and felt the full force of her old club in the first women’s final to be played at Wembley.
The national stadium plays host to the rivals again this Saturday to give the Rhinos another chance to end St Helens’ stranglehold on the trophy.
Playing against Saints again and having the potential to win the cup is amazing, Hardcastle said. Leeds’ most recent loss of 2024 came at the Totally Wicked Stadium. “Playing anyone at Wembley is a great feeling,” Hardcastle added.
“We most certainly don’t want the Saints to win four straight. I would be taking a long break from social media, so we don’t want to see that all over there.
They have talented players, and we are confident in their abilities. It is exciting because we know they have a strong core, they have great leaders, and some incredibly talented young players are on the rise. What a hardship that will be. We will know we’ve earned the victory if we prevail.”
Despite Hardcastle’s recent highs and lows in the Challenge Cup, Leeds as a team hopes to win the competition three times in a row against Saints.
Though still hurting from the 22-8 loss, the England center believes the Rhinos will be stronger after their experience at Wembley last year.
“You’ll never forget last year but we’ve been there now and know what to expect,” stated Hardcastle.It’s likely not going to feel as scary for the younger ones who were there the previous year. It’s possible that more people may complete more tasks and be able to manage their emotions on occasion.
“We’ve got some good depth in our squad. I believe that if we turn up as a Leeds team like we have been doing, there’s no reason why we can’t have that success.”
Leeds’s drive goes beyond their previous performance in the Challenge Cup finals versus St Helens.
Everyone who is associated with the Rhinos, including the squad that will represent the team this weekend at Wembley, is deeply saddened by the loss of Rob Burrow.
The tripleheader will center around Burrow’s rugby league legacy, with a number of honors in his honour scheduled.
The legendary half-back’s influence on the Rhinos is not lost on Hardcastle and her team-mates.
According to Hardcastle, “legends like Rob created the culture at Leeds.”
“Wembley is going to be a very different experience for us. I see it more as a good thing, something I’m doing for Rob and the significance of that badge to him.”When I was a child, I watched rugby and saw Rob play. What an amazing sportsman.
“There are differences in how each person will handle it. Many of the females in our group are from Leeds and would have considered Rob to be a role model.
“As a club, we’ll be there together and want to make everyone proud. We’ll take care of Rob.In the 2023 championship game, the Rhinos gave it their all, but they were unable to overcome the Saints’ better game management and finishing.
Hardcastle is hoping memories of Burrow give Leeds the extra push they will need in the tough moments.
“You might question yourself in the game with negative thoughts but then you’ll remember why we’re doing this even more,” she said.
It could provide us with the extra one percent that we require to succeed both individually and collectively.”There’s a lot more meaning behind it now.”
With Caitlin Beevers, who scored a spectacular try at Wembley last year, and captain Hanna Butcher among the few survivors, Leeds are completely different from the team who won their last cup in 2019.
Complete-back Enright Ruby and half-back Following the losses of Fran Goldthorp and Georgia Roche, Caitlin Casey has established herself in important roles, centered around an experienced core that includes Hardcastle and former St Helens teammate Shona Hoyle.
Hardcastle speculates that Hoyle, who played for the Saints when they defeated the Rhinos at Wembley in 2023, might provide the element Leeds was lacking in the previous championship game.
“We’re bringing through some of the younger girls from our academy and giving them experience around the more experienced girls,” Hardcastle added.”Shona Hoyle, who is not only a fantastic asset but also a friend of mine, was brought in. She has a teacher’s mentality and has brought anger. We most likely needed her passion and outspoken presence in the forwards.
“We have an excellent team. It’s thrilling, very thrilling.”
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