The NSW Waratahs are crowned the 2024 Super Rugby Women Champions in a 50-14 victory against Fijiana Drua.
The score doesn't paint the picture of the tough battle that went down at Ballymore Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Waratahs had a fought hard and through key players such as Georgina Firedrichs, Piper Duck, Desiree Miller and player of the match Atasi Lafai. They were able to complete a 50-14 victory of the defending champions
Nerves looked to be shown early in the game with both teams making numerous mistakes in the opening minutes.
Drua were on the front foot early advancing deep into the Tahs half off the back of a 50-22. However, the Waratahs then muscled up on their line and held them out.
After defending their line the Waratahs then made their way down into Drua's half. In the 11th minute, Desiree Miller dives over untouched in the corner for the first points of the game.
With one comes two and it came from none other than Maya Stewart in the 15th minute, who dived over in the corner. 10-5
The game moved into the Waratahs half for the next ten minutes, and through some gritty defence and the Waratahs held off another barrage.
Waratahs grabbed a penalty against the play and half-back Layne Morgan took the game into her own hands.
70 metres out from the try line Layne went the quick tap and was off running, she linked with Desiree who went in for her double.
Waratahs lead 17-0
The Drua marched their way back into the Tahs half and found themselves knocking right on the door of the try-line.
After numerous phases, they pushed the ball wide where Waratahs winger Desiree Miller intentionally knocked it down.
After a quick discussion, the referee decided on a yellow card and a penalty try for Drua, 10-7
The half winding down the game felt a shift of momentum towards Drua, with numerous attacking plays resulting in linebreaks. However, once again the Waratahs strong defence repeatedly held them out.
Waratahs lead at halftime 17-7
The second half started and the Drua picked up where they left off. Number Eight Karalaini Naisewa was able to bulldoze her way over the line and bring the deficit to three. 17-14
The Waratahs steady the game with Desiree Miller’s return to the field. 50 minutes in Head Coach Mike Ruthven called on his first interchange with Eva Karpani.
Off the back of a dominant scrum, Arabella McKenzie broke the line and advanced the team into the Drua’s 22. Skye Churchill made a final dash for the line where she was tackled high by fly half Ravutia.
This resulted in the second penalty try of the match and a yellow card.
The momentum shifted back into the Tahs favour with Georgina Friedrichs breaking the line and setting up Desiree Millers' hat-trick.
Georgina Friedrichs provides back-to-back line breaks within 2 minutes. The Tahs shifted the ball and try scoring machine Maya Stewart was able to grab her double and push the lead to 22.
55’ | 36-14
Drua bounced back however, Georgina Friedrichs turned attack into defence pulling off a crucial turnover in her 22.
65 minutes in Ruthven called in Naiqama, Ellis and officially the most capped NSW Waratah Women Emily Robinson.
You reap what you reward and just before the 70th minute Georgina Friedrichs was able to grab a try of her own and pushing the lead well away from Drua. 43-14.
The Tahs kept things rolling with player of the match Atasi Lafi bringing up the 50 points and securing the victory for NSW.
Waratahs end a two year premiership drought and bring the trophy back to NSW. This is their fifth title.
Tries: Maya Stewart 2, Desiree Miller 3, Penalty Try, Georgina Friedrichs, Atasi Lafi
Goals: Arabella McKenzie 4/7
Penalty Goals:
Tries: Eight Karalaini, Penalty Try
Goals: Merewalesi Rokouno 1/1
Penalty Goals:
