The NSW Waratah have started their 2024 Buildcorp Super Rugby Women’s campaign in tremendous fashion, defeating the ACT Brumbies 45-10 at Allianz Stadium.
Undefeated throughout their trials, NSW took that form into Round 1, opening the scoring in just the third minute of play, when a smart interchange of passing saw winger Maya Stewart cross. Flyhalf Arabella McKenzie converted to give the Waratahs an early 7-0 lead.
Skipper Piper Duck continued NSW’s dominance and stretched their advantage out even further in the 12th minute, scything over following a mighty rolling maul from the side’s forward pack. McKenzie again converted to make it 14-0.
The Brumbies finally got on the scoresheet through a penalty goal from Faitala Moleka in the 32nd minute, but on the stroke of half-time, Duck snared her second try to finish the half on a positive note.
The Tahs Captain delivered a sublime short ball to put Emily Chancellor through a hole, and then backed up to collect the pass as Chancellor went to ground and cross.
Chancellor unfortunately left the field following her line break. The dynamic openside flanker will go for scans on her right knee during the week to determine the extent of the injury.
McKenzie again converted to put the Waratahs 21-3 in front at half-time.
NSW suffered a blow five minutes into the second stanza when loosehead prop Emily Robinson was issued a yellow card for collapsing.
With Robinson off the field, the Brumbies capitalised, with Sally Fuesaina powering over from a rolling maul in the 50th minute. Moleka’s conversion reduced the visitor’s deficit to 21-10.
But the Tahs quickly regained the ascendency. After turning the tide with field position, a beautiful short ball from Vice-Captain Georgina Friedrichs saw Stewart run away for her second try in the 56th minute.
Friedrichs then bagged a well-deserved try of her own when she supported a Desiree Miller break down the left flank to cross in the 61st minute. McKenzie’s conversion extended the Tahs’ lead out to 33-10.
Stewart capped a tremendous individual performance with a hat-trick of tries in the 74th minute, before a final try five minutes later by Tatum Bird sealed a dominant 45-10 victory for the Waratahs.
“It was good to see all of our hard work come to fruition,” Friedrichs said.
“We’ve been working really hard in the pre-season and to be able to come out and put it all together today was very pleasing.
“The forwards are the backbone of the team and they set the platform for our amazing backs. It was a great team performance.”
“I’m extremely happy with that performance,” added Duck.
“The pre-season that we’ve had has been really top-tier and I’m very proud of the girls tonight. Our forwards and backs really complement each other so well.
“The Brumbies put us under the pump at certain stages, but I’m really happy with how our girls stood up.”
NSW Waratahs Women 45
Tries: Maya Stewart 3, Piper Duck 2, Georgina Friedrichs, Tatum Bird
Goals: Arabella McKenzie 5/7
Penalty Goals:
ACT Brumbies 10
Tries: Sally Fuesaina
Goals: Faitala Moleka 1/1
Penalty Goals: Faitala Moleka 1/1
