The Queensland Reds have taken down arch-rivals NSW Waratahs for the first time in Super Rugby Women’s history to qualify for the finals on Sunday.
Queensland held on to a 26-19 lead for 35 minutes in torrid conditions to cause the upset and book their spot in the final four following the Western Force’s defeat of the ACT Brumbies in Canberra earlier in the day.
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It was the first time since Super Rugby Women's inception in 2018 the Reds have beaten the Waratahs, snapping a 13-game losing streak that included six grand final defeats.
The result locks the Reds in for a semi-final showdown against the Drua in a fortnight while the Waratahs will travel to Perth to take on the Force in a bid to reach the 2026 decider.
The Waratahs received a triple blow pre-game with Wallaroos trio Brianna Hoy (illness), Georgina Friedrichs and Caitlyn Halse (both leg) all ruled out of the match.
It was Friedrichs replacement in the centres, Lusiana Vesikula, who struck first on the right edge courtesy of a Piper Duck pass.
Queensland responded six minutes later with Lucy Thorpe burrowing her way over the line before similiar efforts from Reds captain Zoe Hanna and Eva Karpani extended the lead out to 12.
The Reds pack were particuarily strong all afternoon, setting the platform in the tough conditions.
The Waratahs reduced the deficit in the 32nd minute with flyhalf Pleuni Kievit producing a cross-field kick for Amelia Whitaker to regather and score under the posts.
Kievit then turned villain with an offside call in a try-scoring opportunity for the Reds seeing her yellow-card and conceding a penalty try.
NSW hit back after half-time through a successful running-maul with Brittany Merlo finishing off the play and reducing Queensland’s lead to seven.
Australia Sevens star Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea got through 60 minutes in her return to the starting side for the Reds and looked threatening in her performance.
Former Wallaroo Emily Robinson, who announced her retirement at the end of the season earlier in the week, hobbled from the field with an ankle injury in a further concern for the Waratahs ahead of the finals series.
All Super Rugby Women's sides will have a rest weekend before semi-final fixtures commence on July 18-19.
Queensland Reds 26 (Thorpe, Hanna, Karpani, penalty tries; Cramer 2 cons) defeated NSW Waratahs 19 (Vesikula, Whitaker, Merlo tries; Miller 2 cons) at Leichhardt Oval.
