Super W Rugby Grand Final
NSW Waratahs v Queensland Reds
The New South Waratahs overcame some issues in the scrum and a galant Queensland Reds to claim their second straight, and sixth overall, Super W Rugby Union title on Saturday afternoon at North Sydney Oval.
The Waratahs started strongly, shifting the ball wide at every opportunity, with right winger Maya Stewart making a half break in just the third minute. Three minutes later, her wing partner Desi Miller chased a long kick after the Reds back three were caught out of position, but the speedster couldn’t grasp the ball cleanly as she was tackled. However just a couple of minutes later, a backline shift to the left saw Miller stream down the sideline in front of the North Sydney Oval hill, and turned the ball inside for veteran centre Georgina Friedrichs for the opening try.
The Reds were not without chances of their own, as penalties and scrum wins against the feed provided opportunities to score, however the Queensland side were unable to maintain possession for multiple phases.
NSW extended their lead to 12-0 when international second rower Kaitlyn Leaney barged over from a ruck situation, but to their credit, the Reds kept coming, and were rewarded with their own close range try to former Waratah Eva Karpani - the prop forward’s fourth try in six days.
The Waratahs appeared to have scored several minutes before halftime through Desi Miller after Friedrichs threw the ball back inside as she was tackled over the sideline, but while players had moved into position for the kick conversion, the TMO overturned the try as Friedrichs was judged to have gone over the sideline.
It mattered not, as the Tahs scored just moments later through frontrower Falaki Pohiva, with the conversion leaving a halftime scoreline of 19-7 to the home side.
Queensland needed to start well in the second half, and they did so. As the Waratahs had trouble controlling possession and discipline, Reds scrum half Layne Morgan became the second ex-Tahs player to score against her old team, catching them napping by taking a quick tap after a penalty and crossing for a try to reduced the margin to 19-14 after Lori Cramer’s conversion.
This came just a minute after Waratahs winger Maya Stewart was forced from the field after a heavy tackle left her with what appeared to be a head knock.
A penalty from directly in front saw Bella McKenzie extended NSW’s lead to eight points, before player of the match Desi Miller found space in the midfield off a short pass from McKenzie and ran 45 metres to score, to the delight of the North Sydney crowd.
The Reds pegged back one more try, but substitute cult hero Emily Robinson scored next to the posts and then Friedrichs topped off a memorable afternoon with her second try to put an exclamation mark on the Waratahs’ 43-21 win.
After the trophy was presented, teammates chaired Katrina Barker through a tunnel on the field after playing her final game of Super W. She told HER WAY after the match,
“Emotions are really really high. It’s my last season. I’m trying to hold it in. I’m really really happy and really proud of the girls.”
For co-captain Emily Chancellor, lifting the trophy took on extra meaning after missing last year’s title with an ACL injury.
“You work hard in the background to enjoy it in front of everyone else. I didn’t really think about my knee during the season - you don’t think about it once you’ve done all the work. When I get on the field it’s not what I worry about anymore”, she told HER WAY.
Player of the Match Desi Miller spoke to HER WAY about the success of the whole squad:
“Obviously it sucks to have so many girls out and key players, but the girls that replaced them today did just as good. It just shows the depth of our squad, and what we’ve been working towards the last few months.”
While the Reds didn’t come away with the win, it was a huge step forward for a squad which finished last just 12 months ago. Having moved north in the off season, Eva Karpani some added perspective.
“The Queensland Reds have just come a very very long way… compared to last year. I’m honoured to be part of something special.”
The Waratahs will head to New Zealand to play for the title of Super W trans Tasman champs when they play the Blues, who claimed the Super Aupiki title on Saturday evening with a 26-19 win. The Blues side includes NZ Black Ferns and Sevens legend Portia Woodman-Wickliffe.