Waratahs Complete Three-Peat with Commanding Victory Over Fijian Drua in Super W Final

NSW Waratahs delivered a scintillating performance to secure a third consecutive Super Rugby Women’s title, defeating minor premiers Fijian Drua 34-17 in Ba, Fiji.

The victory extends the Waratahs’ record to seven Super W championships, with tighthead prop Faliki Pohiva earning player-of-the-final honours.

NSW dominated the opening hour at Four R Stadium, crossing for the match’s first four tries to establish a 24-0 lead ten minutes into the second half.

The Drua required nearly an hour to register their first points, and any momentum was swiftly quashed when replacement back Amelia Whitaker crossed twice in an eight-minute span.

The Waratahs ultimately outscored the hosts six tries to three in the first Super W decider held in Fiji — the third grand final meeting between the sides, with each having claimed one previous victory.

“I feel like rugby in Australia wrote us off. We lose two regular-season games and that’s it for us,” Waratahs captain Emily Chancellor said. “This is the response. I’m so proud of this team. I couldn’t be more proud of the way we played today.”

Both sides contested the match at high tempo, but NSW executed with greater precision during the first hour as the Drua committed several unforced errors.

Prolific winger Maya Stewart opened the scoring in the 19th minute, sprinting through untouched after three quick passes pierced the home defence. Stewart then turned provider for the second try, offloading to Miller — though the pass appeared forward in the buildup.

The home side twice declined kickable penalties in the opening half, only to lose a lineout throw from the first and fail to breach the Waratahs’ defence after tapping the second.

Leading 12-0 at the break, NSW extended their advantage through a powerful Pohiva drive and a classy dummy from centre Rose Ferguson that capped a sweeping multi-phase move.

Flanker Nunia Daunimoala finally got the Drua on the board, but Whitaker’s brace effectively sealed the contest. Daunimoala added a second try and No. 8 Sulita Waisega also crossed as Fiji battled until the final whistle, showing their potential when retaining possession.

Veteran forward Emily Robinson came off the bench to appear in her eighth Super W final, claiming a seventh championship medal.

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