Sinfield sure Rhinos can finally deliver

The Rhinos captain has seen Leeds finish as Wembley losers for the last two seasons, against Warrington in 2010 and Wigan last year.

Tomorrow will bring a repeat of the 2011 final, when the Warriors won 28-18, in the first semi-final of the weekend at the Galpharm Stadium (5.30pm kick-off).

Victory would then set up a Wembley reunion with Warrington Wolves, if they can account for Huddersfield in the second semi-final on Sunday.

“The Cup has evaded us in recent years but it’s certainly not for the want of trying,” said Sinfield. “We haven’t been good enough on the day in finals and we haven’t deserved to win this competition yet but, hopefully, we’ll get another shot this year to turn that around.

“The Challenge Cup final is a great occasion. I watched it as a kid and grew up with it and played in a curtain-raiser in 1992 at the old Wembley which was unbelievable. But I’ve not won there yet and tasted the victory that some past players have spoken about. Unfortunately, I don’t have those great memories of lifting the cup yet.

“Our club’s about winning trophies and bringing silverware back. For me, just making it to a semi-final is falling short.”

Sinfield was part of the Rhinos squad that fell to a 50-8 defeat at the hands of Wigan earlier this season.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to play in a number of semi-finals now and they’re always great occasions, but only if you win them,” he said. “We’re going up against a great team who gave us a heavy beating just over a month ago.

“But we’re ready for it. In the last few weeks we’ve picked things up a bit and thankfully so. Hopefully, we can continue that run and turn up on Saturday and get to the intensity we need to.

“We need to be at our best to beat Wigan. I think the great thing about our team is that we have a lot of experience of being in these situations and we’ve been able to draw on that in the past.”