JAECOO Next Gen Cup
Sharks ready for the semi-final storm, says Thorpe
Sale Sharks are staring into the eye of the storm, says Holly Thorpe as they prepare for their first-ever semi-final.
The Northern side have been taking the brunt of Storm Boelo at training in the build-up to their contest with Trailfinders Women in the last four of the JAECOO PWR Next Gen Cup on Saturday.
Conversely, Trailfinders have avoided an atmospheric battering in Trailfinders Sports Clubs' all-weather training facility.
The two sides each won away against each other in the league last season, and Thorpe hopes the trend continues with Sale suitably battle-hardened by the weather.
“They're obviously a really good side,” Thorpe said. “But so are we, and we've not been training indoors throughout this storm, so hopefully we've got a bit more grit.
“I absolutely loved the last time we played them. It was amazing to come away with that win, especially as earlier on in that season, we lost to them, and it wasn't our best performance.
“So, to turn that around by the end of the season was amazing. And it's so cool that we've got them again, like, might as well, might as well beat them and go two from two.”
It is not all trash talk from the winger, however, with Thorpe quick to heap praise on new Trailfinders signing Ruby Tui.
The Olympic champion and World Cup winner has touched down in Ealing and is already causing a stir, with both her and Thorpe having crossed for four tries during the group stage.
She added: “It is so cool. I think that is a massive opportunity for my opposite number to be Ruby Tui.
“Obviously, I'm very aware of her, I've looked up to her quite a bit from when I was younger and stuff, so how cool is that to be able to like step out in front of her and hopefully come off better.”
With Sale having a bye week during the final round of the group stages, Thorpe and her teammates nervously waited for confirmation of their place in the last four while watching Sale FC Women play.
With their spot confirmed, Thorpe has had ample distraction this week thanks to her work as a coach at the Sale Sharks Foundation.
“It's been a funny one this week because it's a half term, so we're on holiday camps at the minute, and that's always quite a hectic, busy week,” she said.
“But I think it's quite nice in a way that I'm not just sat at home thinking about the semi-final, and about the weekend and getting really in my head, I'm very distracted.
“And it's also nice to see the other side of rugby where kids are just playing it purely for fun.
“That's really nice to see, and it really grounds you and reminds you of, ok, I actually do play this game because I really like it, so it takes the stress away a bit.”
Coming up against last season’s league finalists and one of only two unbeaten teams in the Cup is a tall order for Sharks.
But Thorpe, who has been with the club since 2022, is aware of just what a maiden semi-final means in the history of the women’s side.
She said: “It's so massive, this is my fifth season at Sharks, and that's something that we've never got near, and I think it's amazing.
“It's so much credit to the girls and the growth that we've had and new staff coming in and the whole atmosphere, we are so excited, we are so ready for it. I think it's been a long time coming.”
The Northern side have been taking the brunt of Storm Boelo at training in the build-up to their contest with Trailfinders Women in the last four of the JAECOO PWR Next Gen Cup on Saturday.
Conversely, Trailfinders have avoided an atmospheric battering in Trailfinders Sports Clubs' all-weather training facility.
The two sides each won away against each other in the league last season, and Thorpe hopes the trend continues with Sale suitably battle-hardened by the weather.
“They're obviously a really good side,” Thorpe said. “But so are we, and we've not been training indoors throughout this storm, so hopefully we've got a bit more grit.
“I absolutely loved the last time we played them. It was amazing to come away with that win, especially as earlier on in that season, we lost to them, and it wasn't our best performance.
“So, to turn that around by the end of the season was amazing. And it's so cool that we've got them again, like, might as well, might as well beat them and go two from two.”
It is not all trash talk from the winger, however, with Thorpe quick to heap praise on new Trailfinders signing Ruby Tui.
The Olympic champion and World Cup winner has touched down in Ealing and is already causing a stir, with both her and Thorpe having crossed for four tries during the group stage.
She added: “It is so cool. I think that is a massive opportunity for my opposite number to be Ruby Tui.
“Obviously, I'm very aware of her, I've looked up to her quite a bit from when I was younger and stuff, so how cool is that to be able to like step out in front of her and hopefully come off better.”
With Sale having a bye week during the final round of the group stages, Thorpe and her teammates nervously waited for confirmation of their place in the last four while watching Sale FC Women play.
With their spot confirmed, Thorpe has had ample distraction this week thanks to her work as a coach at the Sale Sharks Foundation.
“It's been a funny one this week because it's a half term, so we're on holiday camps at the minute, and that's always quite a hectic, busy week,” she said.
“But I think it's quite nice in a way that I'm not just sat at home thinking about the semi-final, and about the weekend and getting really in my head, I'm very distracted.
“And it's also nice to see the other side of rugby where kids are just playing it purely for fun.
“That's really nice to see, and it really grounds you and reminds you of, ok, I actually do play this game because I really like it, so it takes the stress away a bit.”
Coming up against last season’s league finalists and one of only two unbeaten teams in the Cup is a tall order for Sharks.
But Thorpe, who has been with the club since 2022, is aware of just what a maiden semi-final means in the history of the women’s side.
She said: “It's so massive, this is my fifth season at Sharks, and that's something that we've never got near, and I think it's amazing.
“It's so much credit to the girls and the growth that we've had and new staff coming in and the whole atmosphere, we are so excited, we are so ready for it. I think it's been a long time coming.”
Partners
Close
Get the App
Our new mobile app is now available for iOS and Android and ensures you never miss a moment.
