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The girls are FINALLY back!
Super Rugby Women’s returns for its seventh iteration in 2024, with new player contracts, a new rebrand, a new national coach to impress and a new trophy on the line!
The Wallaroos finished the 2023 season in emphatic fashion, vastly outperforming expectations by taking the bronze medal in the inaugural WXV 1 campaign, finishing above the likes of the Black Ferns, and fully professional sides in France and Wales. Culminating in big wins against the latter two, the sky feels like the limit for our women in gold.
While much is still to be done, an announcement in February of a further $3 million in additional funding, more Tier 1 contracts for Wallaroos players, and higher player payments are proving an effective start, and with big-name players signing to every side this season, Super Rugby Women’s should see an exciting two months of competition.
Today, we give our predictions on where each side will finish at the end of the Super Rugby season, and who are the key names you should keep an eye on.
The Super Rugby Women’s captains pose with the trophy during the 2024 launch
The Rebels went winless in 2023, however, it would be wrong to say the squad isn’t full of great local talent. Coming through the ranks of the strong Lindroth Cup competition, the Rebels have fostered a strong base on homegrown talent, and in 2024 will see an injection of something they’ve been lacking – experienced campaigners to lead them around.
Ashley Masters and Grace Hamilton are two massive pickups for the Rebels who can provide them with critical on-field leadership, and they will also be joined by France international, Laetitia Bobo in the loose forwards and Fijian international Jiowana Sauto, who will pack down in the front row.
Outside of internationals, keep an eye out for a ruthless workhorse in Tiarah Mimms in the second row, on top of a dangerous centre prospect in Harmony Vatau, who are both flying under the radar to cause some real damage. Add alongside that a strong kicker in AFLW veteran Mia-Rae Clifford and the women from Victoria has a lot more options at their disposal.
However, despite the new blood, the Rebels will have a tough season ahead – their first three matches will see them play on the road against the Force, Brumbies and Waratahs, and even at home, will come up against two heavyweights in Queensland and Fiji to round out their season.
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Despite the growing talent, a tough draw and coming up against fast-approving opponents away from home may be a bridge too far for the Rebels.
Predicted Table Finish: 6th
The big improvers in 2023, the Brumbies brought a strong physicality to their game off the back of building a fantastic set piece, picking up scalps over the Rebels and Force and coming within striking distance of defeating the other three sides.
This year, their depth has only grown, with seven Wallaroos and several Fijian Internationals also joining the side. This includes several standout players from the 2023 season in Siokapesi Palu, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Jasmin Huriwai, alongside Fijian stars Iris Verebalavu and Kolora Lomani.
They will also feature five debutants from the pathway program, as well as Japanese recruit Iroha Kishimoto and former Waratahs Katalina Amosa, and Loretta Mailangi.
The draw sees a tough start to the season when they face the Waratahs in Sydney, however, they will also enjoy a week at home against the Rebels before facing the Reds in Brisbane. However, they then enjoy back-to-back weeks at home, finishing with matches against the Drua and the Western Force.
The Brumbies will definitely be in the hunt for finals, but even with an improved squad and a favourable draw, the influx of talent in other teams is hard to ignore – and will be a challenge for the fillies.
Predicted Table Finish: 5th
The current back-to-back champions, 2023 saw Fijiana take a long time to get going, slipping to surprise defeats against the Reds, Western Force and the Waratahs. However, snuck into the top four they did, and proved themselves a different beast in finals footy – emerging as well-deserved champions.
This year sees a lot of change in their squad, with six players with international experience spearheading a side filled with exciting rookies – with six potential debutants being named on the bench for their first clash alone!
Keep an eye out for former NRLW player Merewalesi Rokouono, who will direct proceedings at flyhalf, in addition to an experienced head in the front row in the form of Anasimeci Korovata. They’ll be well-complimented by many rookie players – but with such a strong contingent of leaders, it won’t take long for the whole side to be singing from the same sheet music.
The Drua celebrate after winning the Super W Final match over the Queensland Reds in Townsville, Australia. Photo: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images
The Drua have a tough start to the season, kicking off with a replay of last year’s grand final against Queensland at Ballymore before playing the Waratahs at home. While they will enjoy back-to-back home games with the Force visiting the following week, a final fortnight on the road against the Brumbies and Rebels could offer up some challenges.
While there are a lot of question marks around the balance of the squad, they sit in a similar position to 2023 – and have more than enough to make finals. From there, it’s anyone’s game.
Predicted Table Finish: 4th
So close, but so far AGAIN for Queensland. A lot of the success of the Wallaroos in 2023 came down to the strong performances of the Reds, with the likes of Shannon Parry and Ivania Wong already being regarded as some of the most recognisable faces to have worn the jersey.
Their first win over the Drua showed them to be more than capable of winning the title, but a cruel one-point loss to the Tahs and a devastating grand-final finish saw them end the season as runners-up – for the fifth time!
The Reds have finished as runners-up five times. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
It isn’t a case of if, but when for Queensland, and with thirteen internationally capped players there is no doubt they have the firepower to win a title. They will also be supported by really exciting rookie talent, specifically Shalom Sausao and Ava Wereta, who both lit up the World Youth Sevens competition.
Welcoming the Drua to Ballymore for the opening round, the Reds will travel to face the Force in Perth, likely a critical fixture in their season. Following hosting the Brumbies at home in round three, they will spend the last two weeks on the road, playing the Rebels and Waratahs, respectively.
Queensland will make the semi-finals with the talent they have, but where they go from there is any guess. The match in Perth looms as a critical fixture, given how well the Western Force has recruited in 2024.
Predicted Table Finish: 3rd
Lo and behold, we have arrived at the big call for this season. Expecting plenty of flak from Queensland fans for this, but you heard it here first – after beating the Drua last year and falling agonisingly short to a finals berth, the Western Force will be back in finals in 2024.
Why, you may ask? Well, to put it simply, the Force has recruited exceptionally well, signing internationally capped players from Samoa, New Zealand, Canada, Japan and more, on top of bringing across several exciting prospects from other Australian clubs.
This heavily capped squad will be led by Wallaroo captain Michaela Leonard, who will be well supported by Trilleen Pomare, who will serve as skipper for the women in the west. While an international flavour permeates the squad, keep an eye out for a lot of exciting homegrown talent, including talented finisher Samantha Wood, and dangerous flanker Tamika Jones. These two will be pushing for regular selection.
Combined with strong trials against a powerful Tokyo Phoenix side and bullish wins over the Rebels and Queensland Country, the Force will also have a chance to address cohesion issues and hit their stride with the most favourable draw in the competition.
Trilleen Pomare of the Force passes the ball during the Super W match between Western Force and ACT Brumbies Women at HBF Park, on April 22, 2023, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Kicking off with back-to-back weeks at home against the Rebels and the Reds, the Force will then face the Drua in Fiji before welcoming the Waratahs to The Library back in Perth. They will then finish with a trip to Canberra to face the Brumbies.
A beefed-up squad and favourable draw will be enough to see them make finals convincingly, and they loom as a serious threat to the title.
Predicted Table Finish: 2nd
While there are a lot of contenders, nearly all sides have been measuring themselves against the Waratahs, who despite their semi-final finish last year remain a dangerous threat – having gone through the regular season undefeated and holding the trophy a record four times.
The side is heavily stacked with Wallaroos, with Piper Duck set to captain. Throw in some of the most dangerous national players in Eva Karpani, Emily Chancellor, Arabella McKenzie and Maya Stewart among many more, and it is clear why they are the pacesetters, despite having not held the title in the last two seasons.
Caitlyn Halse of the Waratahs passes the ball during the Super W match between the Melbourne Rebels and NSW Waratahs. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
They will also be supported by exciting backup players – Desiree Miller is a try-scoring machine, while Annabelle Codey is set to start what should be a very successful career in Sky Blue. Throw in an exciting sixteen-year-old playmaker in Waiaria Ellis, and even the new debutants loom as dangerous attacking weapons.
The Waratahs will also enjoy a favourable draw, hosting the opening round against the Brumbies, before arguably their toughest match of the year in Fiji. They will host Rebels in Round Three, and following a trip to Perth, will finish the regular season at home against the Reds.
The Waratahs will be favourites to top the ladder at the end of the regular season – but with that, as proven by the last two years, comes pressure. With a target firmly on their back, expect them to be hit with a lot of challengers this season.
Predicted Table Finish: 1st
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.