Australia Sevens star Tia Hinds has made a memorable debut for the NSW Waratahs, powering them into the Super Rugby W Final with a 33-24 win over the Western Force.
Hinds crossed for a first half double to build a commanding lead that proved critical as the Force mounted a late charge for a maiden finals appearance.
Watch every second of the 2026 Super Rugby Women's season live and on demand via Stan Sport.
Force winger Adi Vani Buleki helped engineer the second-half comeback, but it was too little, too late as the Waratahs’ dream of a three-peat stays alive.
“I’m so happy and proud. I feel like we haven’t played as Waratahs we know how we can play this season so to come around and have two solid weeks together, good reflection and when it matters play some good Rugby [is awesome],” a relieved Waratahs captain Emily Chancellor said post match.
“We know how clinical we can be and we saw that in the first half. When we can hold onto some phases and build some momentum, we are so hard to play against.
“I’m so proud of how we showed up in the first half but we’ve talked about being a team that plays two halves of footy and we got better in that so watch out for that Final because we’re playing the full 80.”
Hinds’ influence was massive after she had missed the entirety of the regular season with a calf injury picked up during the SVNS World Championship.
Her pace from the ruck caused havoc to cross for the opening try off the back of strong runs from Desiree Miller and Waiara Ellis.
Hinds replicated the effort in the 33rd minute to catch the Force napping as the Waratahs dominated territory in the first half.
Winger Amelia Whitaker was also dominant, making her case for a Wallaroos debut later this year with her own double.
The flyer scored twice in ten minutes to give the visitors a 26-0 lead before the half time break.
Hooker Hera Barb Malcolm Heke got the Force on the board after the half-time siren, making up for a yellow card in the 17th minute.
It inspired the hosts to mount a comeback to try and replicate last month's upset, with Fijian-born winger Buleki at the forefront of it as they ate into the Waratahs' lead.
Speedstar Aiysha Wigley opened the scoring in the second half, with Buleki answering Miller’s effort to inspire the late rally.
The speedster nearly had a second to set up a grandstand finish, only for a desperate tackle from Miller to hold her out.
A clutch goal-line tackle from returning Wallaroo Caitlyn Halse halted the Force’s momentum enough for the Waratahs to wind down the clock.
The Force had the last say via Keira MacAskill, but it was too little, too late as the Waratahs booked in a rematch of the 2024 Grand Final.
"It hurts a lot. Heartbreaking for the girls and the club, but also just really proud of the resilience that we've shown this year," Force coach Dylan Parsons said.
"We've had a tough year around selections, availability and injuries, but the girls keep showing up every week. It didn't matter if it was the 80th minute or the 81st minute of the challenge, we were still able to get the results that we were after.
"To get a few more firsts for the club and be our first home semifinal, first time winning three games in a row, it's great for the club and that's what I'm proud of, but it still hurts."
NSW Waratahs 33 (Tries: Hinds 2, Whitaker 2, Miller; Cons: Miller 4) def Western Force 24 (Tries: Malcolm Heke, Wigley, Buleki, MacAskill; Cons: Wood 2)
