BWSL Semi-Finals: Remi Wilton

York Valkyrie’s defence of their Betfred Women’s Super League title continues this weekend when they travel to AMT Headingley to take on Leeds Rhinos in the first of Sunday’s semi-finals live on Sky Sports (KO 5pm).

Sunday will be a repeat of the 2023 Grand Final, which the Valkyrie won 16-6 in front of a record crowd of 4,547 spectators but there will be one player experiencing the anticipation of the semi-finals for the very first time – Remi Wilton.

The former Australia A Rugby Union international joined the reigning champions to restart her Rugby League career back in April and the ex-Canberra Raiders captain hasn’t looked back since.

“It's been an awesome experience to come over to the UK to be honest. I've wanted to do it for years, so I finally made the jump and I'm so stoked that I have.”

Wilton played both codes in her youth, first league up to the age of 12 and then switching to the 15-a-side code. From there she would go on to play for the Raiders and then the Brumbies in the Super W competition, but Rugby League has always been the one.

“I grew up with Rugby League, I've played since I was about four at home and I've never really stopped, to be honest. I just can’t get enough every time I go away from it, I always seem to gravitate back.”

She added: “It's an awesome sport and I think the team camaraderie around it is unreal. I've moved over not knowing anyone from England and now I've got a second family over here. Our team is really close knit, and you can't beat that. You find friends for life in in footy and that's definitely what I've done.”

The @YorkValkyrie needed that ?

Remi Wilton gets the visitors on the scoreboard live on @TheSportsman ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/SRngA0c4H5

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) July 31, 2024

The 26-year-old was brought in to fill the on-field void left by captain Sinead Peach's pregnancy and the 2023 Woman of Steel has been invaluable to Wilton settling into her new team.

“They were very big shoes to fill with Peachy and it's been great having her around this season. She’s been there at training giving us a hand and some very expert advice - it's been brilliant having her as a mentor.

“It’s been tough trying to get to a standard that she had last year, but I play a slightly different game to Peach anyway so I suppose it's not completely comparable, but no, it's been really good," Wilton admitted.

And it’s not just Peach that the Valkyrie have missed this season, Lindsay Anfield’s side have been without key players such as Tara-Jane Stanley, Tamzin Renouf and Wilton herself for long periods through illness or injury yet have still bulldozed themselves to a top three finish.

“We've had a very tough run with injuries and illness this year and it’s difficult when you have one player out, let alone multiple with significant injuries. I think it’s a testament to our squad and the injured players coming back that we're still in the fight and still keen to obviously finish on top.”

With just 80 minutes between York and the Grand Final, they only have one more obstacle to overcome – Leeds Rhinos.

“It’s going to be a very tough game. They’ll come out firing, especially being home at AMT Headingley. Neither team has anything to lose so I’m expecting it to be a confrontational, physical game. Both our teams want to make it to the Grand Final, but there's no second chances - if you lose, you're out.”

Both Betfred Women’s Super League semi-finals will take place live on Sky Sports with Leeds Rhinos v York Valkyrie kicking things off at 5pm before coverage turns to St Helens v Wigan Warriors from 7.30pm. 

The winners from both fixtures will then battle it out for the Super League crown on Sunday 6 October which will be played at home ground of the finalist ranked highest at the end of the regular season, also live on Sky Sports (KO 4.30pm).