The NSW Waratahs have exacted some revenge with a comprehensive 62-21 Super Rugby Women’s win over defending champions Fijian Drua in Lautoka.
The Waratahs piled on 10 tries to consolidate top spot on the ladder and turn the tables on the Drua after two painful finals losses to the Pacific Islanders.
The Tahs had their four-year title streak ended by the Drua in the 2022 decider, before slipping up again in last year’s semis after finishing the regular season as undefeated minor premiers.
Their hunger for redemption was on full display on Saturday as the Waratahs were never headed after Maya Stewart scored the first of her two tries in the second minute of the match.
Fellow winger Desiree Miller, another of the most impressive performers, also notched a double.
Centre Georgina Friedrichs, prop Bridie O’Gorman, lock Katie Leaney, hooker Brittany Merlo, flanker Sky Churchill and replacement forward Eva Karpani also crossed as the Waratahs converted a 24-14 halftime lead into a 41-point rout.
“It was a really physical game,” Waratahs captain Piper Duck said.
“And the way they play the offload game with such intensity, they really put us under the pump today, so obviously I’m really happy we got out on top there.
Jade Coates of the Fijian Drua with the ball during the round two Super Rugby Women’s match between Fijian Drua and NSW Waratahs at Churchill Park on March 23, 2024 in Lautoka, Fiji. (Photo by Pita Simpson/Getty Images)
“But that score does not resemble how hard that game was. That was tough.”
The Western Force are well and truly on track to make the finals for the first time after posting a 24-14 win over the Queensland Reds at HBF Park.
The Force scored four tries to two against last year’s beaten grand finalists to improve their record to 2-0.
With four of the six teams to make finals and only three more regular-season games to go, the second-placed Force will probably only need one more win to lock up a finals berth.
Reds hooker Tiaran Molloy scored the opening try of Saturday’s match in the third minute, but the Force hit back to take a 14-7 lead into the break.
The highlight of the first half was a fast-moving 23m rolling maul from the Force that resulted in a try to hooker Sara Cline.
The Force’s powerful rolling maul again came to the fore in the 59th minute, with reserve hooker Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke on the end of the try this time around.
The Reds hit back seven minutes later when winger Ivania Wong made a break from inside her own half before dishing off to Caitlin Urwin to sprint 40m to the line.
Any nerves from the Force were eased in the 69th minute when substitute Siutiti Ma’ake flew over in the corner.
The Force suffered two injury blows in the second half, with winger Rosie McGehan helped off the field by two trainers with a painful knee injury, and former Black Ferns back-rower Pia Tapsell injuring her arm.
© AAP
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