The NSW Waratahs have completed a hat-trick of Super Rugby Women's titles, holding off minor premiers Fijian Drua 34-17 in the first grand final staged in Fiji.
Playing in front of a passionate 4,097-strong crowd at Four R Stadium in Ba, the Waratahs raced clear early and led 24-0 ten minutes into the second half before the Drua rallied. The result hands NSW a record-extending seventh crown since the competition began in 2018, and their third in succession.
The final capped a remarkable turnaround. NSW lost their last two round-robin matches -- to the Queensland Reds and Western Force -- before beating the Force in the semi-finals and travelling to Fiji as underdogs against the table-topping hosts.
"I feel like rugby in Australia wrote us off. We lose two games and that's it for us," captain Emily Chancellor said after collecting the trophy from Fiji prime minister Sitiveni Rabuka. "This is the response. I'm so proud of this team. I couldn't be more proud of the way we played today."
Maya Stewart opened the scoring inside 20 minutes and Desiree Miller extended the lead before the break, with fullback Caitlyn Halse producing crucial cover defence to preserve a 12-0 half-time buffer. Player of the match Faliki Pohiva and Rosie Ferguson struck early in the second half to push NSW out to 24-0.
Fiji finally hit back through Nunia Daunimoala, who crossed twice, but replacement Amelia Whitaker settled matters with two tries in the space of eight minutes. NSW's player of the season, Whitaker had been dropped to the bench for the final to accommodate Halse -- and made the most of her cameo.
The Drua, who joined the competition in 2022 and won back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023, remain the only other side to have lifted the trophy. Their supporters stayed to acclaim both teams, and Bitila Tawake fought back tears as she addressed the stadium.
"It took us five years to get the home grand final, and I'm sorry we didn't get the win today," Tawake said. "The Waratahs, the best of the best. We gave our one hundred, you gave your one hundred, but at the end of the day, you guys won. Rugby wins at the end of the day."
Chancellor, who leaned on the local support before lifting the trophy, returned the tribute in her victory speech.
"Every time we come out, and we play Fiji in Fiji or at home, we know that we're gonna have an incredible game," the flanker said. "The way you play, with direct rugby, creative offloads, it's a really tough game to play against, and you really threw it at us today, so well done, girls."
The win books NSW a place in next week's Super Rugby Champions final, where they will face the winner of the Super Rugby Aupiki decider across the Tasman.
