Desiree Miller shines as Waratahs defend Super Rugby Women’s title

The NSW Waratahs have gone back-to-back as Super Rugby Women’s champions by defeating arch-rivals the Queensland Reds 43-21 in the Grand Final on Saturday. These traditional foes finished in the top two at the end of the round-robin, and the decider didn’t disappoint.

After starting their title defence with a shock 23-17 loss to the Fijian Drua in round one, the Tahs rallied throughout the regular season, which included a dominant 22-point win over the Queenslanders at Brisbane’s Ballymore Stadium.

But the Reds had plenty of reasons to be confident before the big dance themselves, with three-time Olympian and former Australia Sevens captain Charlotte Caslick helping inspire Queensland’s run to the Final at North Sydney Oval.

Reds co-captain Lori Cramer got the match underway at 2:41 pm on a perfect afternoon under the Sydney sun, and the visitors controlled the match early on. Queensland had all the possession, but the Waratahs’ defence stood tall within their own half.

It had been all the Reds for about the first five minutes, but almost suddenly, the Waratahs had the first real point-scoring opportunity. Fly-half Arabella McKenzie punted the ball down-field, with winger Desiree Miller chasing well and it almost worked for the home side.

Miller was locked in a race for the ball against Caslick, but the Reds fullback did enough to force a mistake with the Waratahs winger unable to regather possession by knocking the ball on. It was a reprieve for the Reds who were fortunate not to be trailing on the scoreboard.

But, the Waratahs are inevitable. The hosts opened the scoring in the ninth minute through star midfielder Georgina Friedrichs, who reaped the rewards of some brilliant lead-up play from Miller and young fullback Caitlyn Halls.

McKenzie converted the try from in front.

The Waratahs almost extended their lead soon after as Miller broke up the left wing for another significant carry. Miller threw a one-handed offload to Halls who was bundled into touch five metres out from the try line.

But, once again, the Tash weren’t going to be denied for long. About one minute after Halls was tackled across the sideline, second-rower Kaitlan Leaney ended up scoring out-wide which extended the Waratahs’ lead to a hard-earned 12 points.

It took the Reds about 25 minutes to trouble the Waratahs inside their 22. Their relentlessness in attack hadn’t led to points yet – the Reds needed one of their big-name players to step up, and that’s what happened as Wallaroo Eva Karpani dove over in the 28^th minute.

The Waratahs regained control from there, though. Miller almost scored, only for the TMO to rule a try out after Friedrichs was deemed to have touched the sideline, but it didn’t matter really as tighthead prop Faliki Pohiva crossed soon after.

As the teams made their way off the field for half-time, the New South Welshwomen were by far the happier of the two sides. McKenzie had forced Queensland’s Tiarna Molloy into touch with the final play, and that seemed to give the Tahs yet another confidence boost.

With the Tahs leading 19-7 at the break, there was a feeling around the ground that the Reds had to strike next. It didn’t come right away, by Layne Morgan’s effort under the sticks in the 49^th minute was decisive at that stage – helping reduce the deficit to juts five points.

McKenzie hit back for the Tahs with a penalty goal, but a yellow card against replacement prop Seneti Kilisimasi made for an interesting period ahead. After some more ill-discipline from the Tahs, the Reds made their way into the home side’s 22 once again.

But after failing to make the most of that opportunity, the Reds were left to defend against a Tahs side growing in confidence as each minute ticked by. Miller ended up slicing through a gap in Queensland’s defensive line to score a significant long-range try in the 62^nd minute.

Reds replacement Christo Taufua was next to score, with the prop crossing for a much-needed five-pointer with about 15 minutes left to play. With the conversion sailing over the black dot, Queensland had given themselves a chance with just eight points the difference.

With time running out, the Tahs all but wrapped up their second successive Super Rugby title as replacement prop Emily Robinson raced away for a try with 12 minutes left. McKenzie added the extras to make it a 15-point game.

Friedrichs’s second of the afternoon sealed the win, with the vice-captain diving under the posts with a few minutes left. Others in sky blue immediately swarmed the midfielder, while more than 2,000 supporters at the well-known Sydney venue let out a cheer in celebration.

The Waratahs triumphed once again.  They are Super Rugby Women’s champions for a record sixth time.