SMARTECH Super Rugby W TOTW: The best performers from Round Three

Tue, Mar 18, 2025, 3:25 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson

Round Three of SMARTECH Super W saw a host of Test stars deliver quality performances across the weekend.

The NSW Waratahs made a statement with their win over the Queensland Reds at Ballymore.

Watch every match of SMARTECH Super Rugby Women's live and on-demand exclusively on Stan Sport.

Meanwhile, the ACT Brumbies led for their majority of the game before falling in the last minute to the Fijian Drua.

Rugby.com.au selected its Team of the Week for Round Three.

1. Martha Fua (ACT Brumbies)

Fua stepped up with several Brumbies front-rowers out and handled the wet conditions superbly.

The loosehead got through a bunch of work off the ball whilst dulling the Drua’s dominant set piece.

2. Adiana Talakai (NSW Waratahs)

Talakai solidified why she is one of the best hookers in Australia with an excellent showing against the Reds.

The hooker crossed for a crucial try along with solidifying their scrum after early struggles to start the year.

3. Faliki Pohiva (NSW Waratahs)

Pohiva has been the breakout star for the Waratahs in 2025 as she emerges as a serious Wallaroos bolter.

The tight-head was a powerhouse across the park, recording five tackle busts and over 35 post-contact metres.

4. Kaitlan Leaney (NSW Waratahs)

The Waratahs’ win was built off the dirty work players like Leaney got through in a tough 80-minute stint.

She had double-digit carries (11) and tackles (13) and seemed like the first player to every attacking ruck for the Tahs.

5. Carletta Yee (Fijian Drua)

Yee showed she has a bright future for Fiji Rugby after a tidy debut for the Drua.

The lock made 14 tackles in tough conditions, as well as a crucial offload.

6. Siokapesi Palu (ACT Brumbies)

Palu is making a serious case as one of the best backrowers in the game.

She was superb, with five tackle busts, two line breaks and a crucial try.

7. Emily Chancellor (NSW Waratahs)

The Wallaroo stepped up the occasion and was a menace around the ruck all afternoon.

Chancellor topped the charts for tackles (22) and turnovers (four) as she terrorised the Reds throughout the game.

8. Tabua Tuinakauvadra (ACT Brumbies)

‘Boo’ was a work-horse in the testing conditions in defeat for the Brumbies.

Her 18 carries were all quality and kept dragging the visitors over the advantage line.

9. Ella Ryan (ACT Brumbies)

Ryan has settled into the halves perfectly and has formed a great partnership with Faitala Moleka.

The former Waratah’s delivery was quality and kept the Brumbies playing at their speed they needed to to control the game against the Drua.

10. Arabella McKenzie (NSW Waratahs)

McKenzie lifted for the clash with rivals Reds and played with a chip on her shoulder.

The flyhalf’s kicking game was superb, including a 22-22, whilst also setting up two tries.

11. Vitaline Naikore (Fijian Drua)

Naikore once again was the difference maker for the Drua in the win.

The winger had six tackle busts and two line breaks as she averaged over 15 metres per carry.

12. Shalom Sauaso (Queensland Reds)

Sauaso’s form has been electric in 2025 and she terrorised the Waratahs early.

She shrugged off tacklers for fun with nine tackle busts whilst having two line breaks and offloads.

13. Georgina Friedrichs (NSW Waratahs)

It was a tense battle of the outside centres but Friedrichs edges out Teagan Levi by a hair.

Friedrichs’ all-round game got her the nod after a try, two line breaks and five tackle busts.

14. Maya Stewart (NSW Waratahs)

Stewart continues to make her position clear as one of the best wingers in the game.

The winger added to her lead on the all-time list with a double and she recorded 112 metres from seven carries.

15. Litiana Vueti (Fijian Drua)

Vueti was one of the best out of the new faces for the Drua.

The fullback was reliable at the back amid the tough conditions to help them to a crucial win.

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