Waratahs star's hat-trick seals fifth Super Rugby Women's crown in try frenzy finale
The NSW Waratahs put on a clinic to seal their fifth Super Rugby Women's title, defeating the Fijian Drua in a 50-14 demolition.
Playing at Ballymore Stadium in Brisbane, the Waratahs put the Drua to the sword with eight tries in all.
The Drua were ill-disciplined throughout, copping four yellow cards. Jenifer Ravutia received two of those, the first for a high tackle and the second for stomping.
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The second infringement in the 78th minute earned her a red card, summing up the frustrations for the two-time champions.
The win marked redemption for the Waratahs, who lost to the Drua in the 2023 final.
The NSW Waratahs celebrate victory following the Super Rugby Women's grand final match against the Fijian Drua at Ballymore Stadium. Mackenzie Sweetnam via Getty Images
Arabella McKenzie, who converted four of the seven tries, hailed the effort by the Waratahs Women.
"I feel amazing, to come up here to Ballymore with all our friends and family in the crowd ... these girls, I just love this club, I love playing in the sky blue jersey and it means so much to me," said McKenzie.
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"We made a few errors there at the start of the second half, but we just had so much belief in our system. We go back to our processes, every single one of our girls from one to 30, they know what they're doing, they know their job, so full belief in the girls.
"We just came together under the bosts, we knew what we were doing next. Good to come out with the win in the end."
Desiree Miller was the stand-out for the Waratahs, scoring a hat-trick despite being sent off for 10 minutes for a deliberate knock-on.
She began the try frenzy on the win in the 12th minute before scoring her second in the 24th minute.
Her second try was the highlight of the match after some quick thinking from Layne Morgan, who took a quick tap-and-go off the back of a scrum penalty.
Miller's third came in the 52nd minute with the Waratahs well in front by that stage.
Desiree Miller of the Waratahs scores her third try during the Super Rugby Women's grand final match. Mackenzie Sweetnam via Getty Images
Maya Stewart scored two tries in the 15th and 56th minutes and threatened throughout the second half to score a hat-trick of her own.
Georgina Friedrichs (69") and Atasi Lafai (73") scored one try apiece with a penalty try also given, making up the eight in total.
Although the scoreline blew out, the Drua looked threatening in the first half. Having gone into the half-time break trailing 17-7, captain Karalaini Naisewa's try brought them within three points in the 43rd minute.
However, three tries in succession over less than 10 minutes doubled the Waratahs' lead. After the penalty try in the 51st minute, the Drua were largely kept out of the contest.
Sera Naiqama of the Waratahs celebrates victory with her teammates. Mackenzie Sweetnam via Getty Images
The Waratahs complete the season undefeated, winning all five pool matches, as well as their semi-final and final appearances.
NSW Waratahs – 50
TRIES: Desiree Miller 3 (12", 24",52"), Maya Stewart 2 (15", 56"), Penalty Try (51"), Georgina Friedrichs (69"), Atasi Lafai (73")
CONVERSIONS: Arabella McKenzie 4/7
Fijian Drua – 14
TRIES: Penalty Try (32"), Karalaini Naisewa (43")
CONVERSIONS: Merewalesi Rokouno 1/1
