NSW Waratahs Women's head coach Mike Ruthven has recalled star fullback Caitlyn Halse to the starting side for Saturday's Swyftx Super Rugby Women's Grand Final against the Fijian Drua in Fiji.
The promotion of Wallaroos representative Halse to the first XV is one of four changes to the team that defeated the Western Force in last week's Semi-Final.
Desiree Miller, who played fullback against the Force, shifts back to the wing and is set to make her 25th Waratahs appearance at Four R Stadium in Ba.
Taj Heald and newly-crowned Waratahs Women's Rookie of the Year Piper Simons join the bench, with the latter having overcome a knee injury suffered in Round 4.
After scoring two tries in her Super Rugby Women's debut last week, Tia Hinds retains the scrum-half role and will again partner with 18-year-old flyhalf Waiaria Ellis.
The Waratahs are hunting their seventh Super Rugby Women's title but will have to overcome the two-time champions Drua in the first-ever Grand Final to be held in Fiji.
“The team is extremely excited about the opportunity we have this week to compete for another Super W title,” Ruthven said.
“We have drawn a huge amount of confidence over the last few weeks from training and the way the players performed last weekend in Perth.
“We are expecting a great atmosphere over in Fiji and we can't wait to get over there."
The Super Rugby Women's Grand Final will be broadcast live and on demand on Stan Sport.
NSW Waratahs v Fijian Drua
Swyftx Super Rugby Women’s Grand Final
11.05am AEST Saturday
Four R Stadium, Ba, Fiji Starting XV:
1. Brianna Hoy
2. Brittany Merlo
3. Faliki Pohiva
4. Leilani Nathan
5. Kaitlan Leaney (vc)
6. Ruby Anderson
7. Emily Chancellor (c)
8. Piper Duck
9. Tia Hinds
10. Waiaria Ellis
11. Desiree Miller (vc)
12. Rosie Ferguson
13. Pleuni Kievit
14. Maya Stewart
15. Caitlyn Halse
Replacements:
16. Nancy Volkman
17. Emily Robinson
18. Bridie O'Gorman
19. Grace Gillies
20. Nicole Nathan
21. Taj Heald
22. Piper Simons
23. Amelia Whitaker
