The NSW Waratahs have claimed back-to-back titles after a 43-21 win over the Queensland Reds at North Sydney Oval.
It’s their sixth title in Super Rugby W history as their dominance over their Australian counterparts continues.
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Desiree Miller and Georgina Friedrichs were the difference makers, with Miller unstoppable all afternoon after a try and a number of key touches.
Friedrichs scored the first and last tries of the game as the Reds’ winless run in title games continues.
The win books the Waratahs' place in the Super Rugby championship game against the winner of the Super Rugby Aupiki game between the Blues and Matatū.
The Queensland Reds had their fair share of territory but Miller and Friedrichs torched their defence to start the game.
Miller set up the opener when she burst down the wing in the ninth minute, finding Caitlyn Halse as the fullback delivered a lovely backhand flick for Friedrichs to score.
The Wallaroos winger had several breaks in the first half but her work at the breakdown set up the second after getting the pilfer penalty close to the line.
It allowed the defending champions to back their rolling maul and lock Kaitlan Leaney was the benefactor.
Former teammate Eva Karpani got the Reds on the board with a barge over from close.
But it was the Waratahs’ first half as Karpani’s opposite number, Faliki Pohiva, crashed over for a 19-7 lead at the break.
Morgan sparked the Reds after the break as they took it to the Waratahs.
The scrumhalf caught the Waratahs napping with the quick tap as she dived over from close.
The Waratahs then went down to 14 as Seneti Kilisimasi went to the bin for a high shot.
But up stepped Miller for one of the tries of the tournament, stepping through the line and the fullback for the try.
The Reds hit back straight away but when veteran prop Emily Robinson dived over for a popular try with 12 minutes left, the title was decided.
Friedrichs crossed for her second as the Waratahs once again remains the premier team in Australia.
Tries: Friedrichs 2, Leaney, Pohiva, Miller, Robinson
Cons: McKenzie 5/6
Pens: McKenzie 1/1
Tries: Karpani, Morgan, Taufua
Cons: Cramer 3/3
WARATAHS (1-15): Bridie O’Gorman, Britt Merlo, Faliki Pohiva, Kaitlan Leaney, Annabelle Codey, Nicole Nathan, Emily Chancellor (c), Ruby Anderson, Tatum Bird, Arabella McKenzie, Desiree Miller, Katrina Barker, Georgina Friedrichs, Maya Stewart, Caitlyn Halse
Replacements: Millie Parker, Emily Robinson, Seneti Kilisimasi, Jayjay Taylor, Anahera Hamahona, Martha Harvey, Jade Sheridan, Waiaria Ellis
REDS (1-15): Bree-Anna Browne, Tiarna Molloy, Eva Karpani, Tiarah Minns, Veneta Teutau, Zoe Hanna, Carola Kreis, Maraea Tupai, Layne Morgan, Lori Cramer (co-c), Ivania Wong (co-c), Shalom Sauaso, Faythe Manera, Caitlin Urwin, Charlotte Caslick
Replacements: Zophronia Setu, Cristo Taufua, Charli Jacoby, Deni Ross, Dillyn Blackburn, Nat Wright, Carys Dallinger, Piper Flynn
Referee: Ella Goldsmith
Assistant Referees: Dan Andrew, Harry Fenton
TMO: Cholmondeley Johnson
