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Waratahs remain unbeaten ahead of Super W finals

Leilani Nathan of the Waratahs is tackled during the Super W match between Melbourne Rebels Women and NSW Waratahs Women at AAMI Park, on April 21, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

The NSW Waratahs will march into the Super W semi-finals with their unbeaten record intact after rolling the Rebels 29-0 in their last round clash in Melbourne.

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The table-topping Waratahs have set themselves up for a final four assault at Concord Oval in Sydney on April 30, running in five tries in their Friday night clash at AAMI Park.

Queensland currently hold down second place with three teams – 2022 champions Fijiana Drua, the Western Force and Brumbies – still in the scramble for the other two play-off spots.

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Currently sitting fourth, the Force are two points clear of the Brumbies who they host on Saturday night.

Melbourne have finished without a win but showed their improvement through the season to hold the rampant Tahs to 24 points.

They trailed 12-0 until just before halftime when debutante winger Jacinta Windsor showed her pace to dash 60m in and around the defence to score.

NSW’s early tries came after hooker Katalina A mosa mauled the ball across the line to open the scoring and then Wallaroos No.8 Grace Hamilton powered over from a five-metre scrum.

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Waratahs halfback Tatum Bird had a busy game while Test centre Georgina Friedrichs was a constant threat.

Starved of possession and territory in the first half, the Rebels were constantly on the back foot and incurred 11 penalties.

But they settled into the match after the break with Wallaroos hooker Ash Marsters leading the way with some big hits.

They showed heart to regularly repel the visitors in the second half, even while down a player after prop Laiema Bosenavulagi was yellow carded.

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The hosts held the Waratahs out until the 75th minute when a clearing kick by Rebels centre Wasie Toolis was charged down by Iliseva Batibasaga, who turned and pounced on the ball in the in-goal.

Speedster Maya Stewart then iced the win in the dying minutes after a spectacular team try that stretched 60 metres .

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Bull Shark 1 hour ago
Rassie Erasmus' Boks selection policy is becoming bizarre

To be fair, the only thing that drives engagement on this site is over the top critiques of Southern Hemisphere teams.


Or articles about people on podcasts criticizing southern hemisphere teams.


Articles regarding the Northern Hemisphere tend to be more positive than critical. I guess to also rile up kiwis and Saffers who seem to be the majority of followers in the comments section. There seems to be a whole department dedicated to Ireland’s world ranking news.


Despite being dialled into the Northern edition - I know sweet fokall about what’s going on in France.


And even less than fokall about what’s cutting in Japan - which has a fast growing, increasingly premium League competition emerging.


And let’s not talk about the pacific. Do they even play rugby Down there.


Oh and the Americas. I’ve read more articles about a young, stargazing Welshman’s foray into NFL than I have anything related to either the north and south continents of the Americas.


I will give credit that the women’s game is getting decent airtime. But for the rest and the above; it’s just pathetic coming from a World Rugby website.


Just consider the innovation emerging in Japan with the pedigree of coaches over there.


There’s so much good we could be reading.


Instead it’s unimaginative “critical for the sake of feigning controversial”. Which is lazy, because in order to pull that off all you need to be really good at is:


1. Being a doos;

2. Having an opinion.


No prior experience needed.


Which is not journalism. That’s like all or most of us in the comments section. People like Finn (who I believe is a RP contributor).


Anyway. Hopefully it will get better. The game is growing and the interest in the game is growing. Maybe it will attract more qualified journalists over time.

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