Hall seeks to fulfill Wembley ambition

Leeds Rhinos prolific winger Ryan Hall is 80 minutes away from fulfilling a lifetime’s ambition of playing in a Wembley final.

However before the 22-year-old try-machine can dream of playing at the famous venue, the Rhinos must negotiate a tricky Carnegie Challenge Cup semi-final clash against Super League rivals St Helens at the Galpharm Stadium, Huddersfield on Saturday (2.30).

“In the last few years we have been the top two sides,” said Hall, Super League‘s top scorer last season with 29.

“When we play against any big side you get that feeling of an extra excitement, like a derby game and this game is the same.

“Also we haven’t won the Challenge Cup for 11 years now, so with the chance to get to Wembley on offer it’s a massive game.

“I’ve never been to Wembley, either the old one or the new one. It’s one of my priorities to get there in my career.

“When you’re a kid watching the Challenge Cup Final you dream of playing there. But actually to walk out there for real would be totally different – it would be brilliant.”

With Hall set to surpass the 20-try mark again this season, he is fast becoming a pivotal member of the Rhinos team, but he puts his personal success down to good squad performances and is still looking to improve.

“If I miss one chance in 100, I’ll stand and think about that and put more practice in to try and revisit what I’ve learned over the years,” he said.

“People have said I’m good at finishing but I keep thinking about the chances I couldn’t take, I’m always asking more of myself.

“They say a good winger needs a good centre, and having Keith Senior inside me is a big reason why I get so many tries.

“He’s so experienced and so good at what he does that he makes it easy for me to get on the end of his passes.”