PWR semi-final: Jade Konkel calls for Harlequins to show physicality
Harleyqun captain Jade Konkel said she was in the latest chapter in her cross-city competition with Saracens when the London team met in Saturday’s PWR semifinal.
Two teams competed in the first three finals after the 2017 top womenās flight restart, but this is the first playoffs since Saracens won the 2022 semi-finals.
Scotland No. 8 Conker said: “It has been a great competition since I joined the Premier League in 2018.”
āThat makes it a little more special because you know it will be the right move forward for both teams.ā
Both teams shared the regular season trophy, both winning from visiting to rival territory.
The Saracens’ 33-10 success in the bent over was part of a five-game winning streak, which put them in second place and home run semifinals.
“I’ve been watching that game because unfortunately I’ve knocked on the door, but we know Sarries is a physical side.”
“We know they will want to bring this body to life on the weekend, so that’s how we match. This physical element will be inflicted or destroyed.”
The March 16 final also played at Stonex Stadium, and the Saracens has always had a home advantage.
Coach Alex Austerberry said it could be crucial for a three-time champion and rejected the theory that Bristol’s failure at home semifinals last season could have a mental impact on him.
Saracens led 14-0 against the Bears, but it was a team that improved from the PWR semifinals as the loser’s visitors fought for a 29-21 victory.
“If you hang up the incident and a very dangerous experience,” Austerberry said.
āThe biggest thing is the learning we get from the game, how we deal with things, how we donāt deal with certain situations.
“Aren’t I worried about what happened last time? Absolutely not. We revisited it in due time and now we’re very much looking forward to the game against Quins.”
