For a couple of years it looked like the NSW Waratahs had fallen back to the pack. That proved to be wildly off the mark.
Despite losing Eva Karpani and Layne Morgan to Queensland before the season, and several others, including Piper Duck, in the days before the grand final, the NSW Waratahs withstood a second-half surge from their interstate rivals to seal a dominant 43-21 win at North Sydney Oval on Saturday afternoon.
The 22-point win was the Waratahs’ second straight under coach Mike Ruthven and their fifth since the competition started in 2018.
Winger Desiree Miller and her backline teammate Georgina Friedrichs starred for the Waratahs, with the backline duo carving up the Reds side.
The Waratahs celebrate by lifting the Super Rugby Women’s trophy by beating Queensland Reds at North Sydney Oval on April 12, 2025. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
But there were several strong performances, with Caitlyn Halse making a stunning comeback and outplaying her opposite Charlotte Caslick.
The Waratahs’ potency out wide was helped by the foundation laid up front, with giant tight-head prop Faliki Pohiva enjoying a ding-dong battle with Karpani with both front-rowers crossing in the fascinating battle.
Acting captain Emily Chancellor was busy across the park, lock Kaitlan Leany dominated the lineout while Nicole Nathan also made an impression.
Even veteran prop Emily Robinson scored, with the replacement front-rower storming onto a lovely ball from Halse to blow open the game before Friedrichs put the cherry on top by scoring.
Chancellor, who missed last year’s title due to injury, was naturally thrilled after her long comeback was rewarded.
“It’s a pinch yourself moment,” she said.
“I saw the girls work so hard last year and get the reward against Fiji, and to come out and play and build through the season we have this year I’m so proud to have been a part of it.
“We had to really work through that physical battle up front. We said before the game it was going to be who could win the physicality to release the edges, and the physical battle up front was a tough one.
“I’m really proud of how we adapted after a couple of late changes because of injury, and to be able to show our depth and put on a performance like that, I’m so proud of the whole 30.”
The defeat was another painful blow for the Reds, who lost their fifth grand final – and fourth against the Waratahs.
“The effort, I’m sorry,” the Reds skipper said after needing to collect her feeling.
“We’re still very proud to be here, to make it through to the grand final, after the year we had last year. But the Tahs just got over us and showed why they’re the most dominant team in (the competition).”
Georgina Friedrichs scored twice in the Waratahs’ big win over Queensland Reds at North Sydney Oval. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
The Reds had their moments.
Indeed, the visitors cut the margin to 29-21 when barnstorming loose-head prop Cristo Taufua barged over to score.
But the Reds continued to be their own worst enemy, with Andrew Fraser’s side guilty of turning over far too much ball on a picture perfect afternoon in Sydney.
Teenage sensation Shalom Sauaso epitomised that, with the inside centre regularly winning the contact battle but too often losing the ball too.
She wasn’t alone either though, with little errors killing off their hopes of returning to Queensland with silverware.
In contrast the Waratahs’ backline feast on the opportunities, with Arabella McKenzie controlling the game nicely and unlocking her lethal backs.
Miller, in particular, carved the Reds up by making four linebreaks in the match.
“It feels absolutely unreal,” a delighted Miller said. “This was my second one, and it’s almost better than he first.”
