Fijian Drua will look to complete three titles in a row when they face the NSW Waratahs in the 2024 Buildcorp Super Rugby Women’s Grand Final at Ballymore Stadium next Sunday.
The Drua’s quest for a historic threepeat remained on track with a 25-14 semi-final win over the Western Force at a sold-out HFC Bank Stadium in Suva earlier today.
Drua fullback Atelaite Buna was at her elusive best in Suva, scoring three tries to the delight of the capacity crowd, as the Western Force were left to rue missed opportunities in their maiden finals appearance.
The game was closer than the Drua might have liked as they missed two penalty kicks and three conversions – all from directly in front or on a slight angle – to leave the margin at just one point late in the second half.
They trailed 11-10 at halftime but all Buna needed was some clean air to put distance on the improved Force, streaking for two long-range tries to go with a first-half effort from close range that was sealed with an emphatic swan dive.
Bitila Tawake of the Fijian Drua runs with the ball during the Super Rugby Women’s Semi Final match between Fijian Drua and Western Force at HFC Bank Stadium. (Photo by Pita Simpson/Getty Images)
In the second semi-final, the Waratahs advanced with a a 47-27 victory over the ACT Brumbies at Allianz Stadium.
NSW winger Desiree Miller bagged a hat-trick as the Brumbies bowed out at the semi-final stage for the second year in a row.
The Waratahs head into the Grand Final on the back of a dominant undefeated season, and boasting the competition’s leading try-scorer Maya Stewart (11 tries) and leading point-scorer Arabella McKenzie (59 points).
“It feels unreal,” Miller said.
“We worked on a lot during the week, and it was good to put it all into action tonight.
“We stayed calm, and we stayed patient and that’s what resulted in my hat-trick. I couldn’t have done it without the girls.
“The Brumbies is always a tough match so I’m just glad that we could hold them out and get that win.
“We’ve just got to keep the same prep for the Drua. If we just stick to our processes and build on those one-percenters, I feel like we’ll have a really good shot.”
2024 BUILDCORP SUPER RUGBY WOMEN’S GRAND FINAL
NSW Waratahs vs. Fijian Drua
2.05pm AEST Sunday 28 April
Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane
Nivlek
Roar Rookie
Cmon Tahs! Drua will be fired up for this one. Well done to the force and brumbies for giving it an almighty crack in the semis.
Crashy
Roar Rookie
Tahs backs skills levels have improved markedly. The reserves forwards were almost all former or current Wallaroos! Good team which will form the bulk of the Wallaroos.
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
A Tahs/Drua final not really a surprise. The score line from the last match up in Lautoka will be no indication how the final will play out. Should be a cracking game, hopefully with a Tahs win.
Brian Westlake
Roar Rookie
Great to see the Tahs womens Rugby playing such an expansive game!
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
Force were in it up until the 72nd minute when they were attacking the Drua line when the ref completely misses a Fijian player off their feet & offside slapping at the Force halfbacks pass causing it to go forward. From that scrum the Drua run the field & scored. Game over. Great showing by the Force girls.
Bliksem
Roar Rookie
The Force woman maiden final appearance was welcome this year. I feel almost cheated that the season is over after so few games. We need to play a Pacific SR competition to give the woman a fair deal.