The final match of the Australian Super Rugby Women’s season has arrived, with the Waratahs and Reds set to do battle for the fifth time in a final at North Sydney Oval this weekend.
The winner will not only claim bragging rights for another year but will then go on to face the Super Rugby Aupiki champion – with their final also taking place this weekend between the defending champions Blues and Christchurch side Matatū at Eden Park – in the inaugural Super Rugby Champions Final, set to take place next Thursday.
It is a clear sign of an impending merger of the two competitions on the horizon – and will serve to address the key challenges facing women’s rugby in this part of the world, dramatically increasing the number and competitiveness of games.
Until then, these respective competitions must find their champions, and the match this weekend in North Sydney has capped off a stunning season for women’s domestic rugby – one that has seen physicality, competitiveness and overall quality lift across the board, which is sure to put a smile on the face of Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp.
See all the team news below.
(All times are in AEST)
Sunday
NSW Waratahs v Queensland Reds, 2:35 pm
The Waratahs may have blown away the Western Force last week in a blitzing second half at Leichhardt Oval, but it came at a cost – namely, the loss of captain Piper Duck to a shoulder injury.
It continues a bad run of luck for the Wallaroo, who was on the comeback trail to the national side. She is also not the only Wallaroo to miss out, with Leilani Nathan picking up a knee injury and will miss the rest of the domestic season at least, with her now set to race the clock make the Wallaroo squads for the Pacific Four series.
Fortunately, the Tahs have a solid backup to take on the captaincy in Emily Chancellor, with Ruby Anderson filling the remaining gap in the loose forwards.
Caitlyn Halse returns to the starting side as well at fullback after a stint in the casualty ward, with Waiaria Ellis dropping back to the bench. She will also be joined there by Kiwi Anahera Hamahona as the final change to the side.
The Reds have also lost one of their co-captains in talented Wallaroo prospect Jemma Bemrose, in addition to Wallaroo veteran Sarah Riordan.
However, the visitors themselves will have plenty of firepower to call upon, with Zoe Hanna and Maraea Tupai set to come into the starting side to face the formidable Tahs loose forwards. Capping them off is the experienced head of Canadian international Carola Kreis, who moves from the bench into the side, with Dillyn Blackburn taking her bench spot.
Experienced Wallaroos Lori Cramer and Ivania Wong will take on the co-captaincy duties as a result, with Charlotte Caslick retaining her spot at fullback.
Faliki Pohiva has been in immense form throughout the 2025 season. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
It sets the stage for several brutal clashes between the biggest stars in the Wallaroos camp as well as the best finds from this season, with barnstorming prop Faliki Pohiva looking to continue her devastating form for the Tahs – and likely facing a tough contest against Eva Karpani, while the Reds will be calling upon Caslick and rising centre star Shalom Sauaso to ask plenty of questions of a Tahs backline full of Wallaroo incumbents.
WARATAHS (1-15): Bridie O’Gorman, Adiana Talakai, 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
Reserves: 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
Reserves: Zophronia Setu, Cristo Taufua, Charli Jacoby, Deni Ross, Dillyn Blackburn, Nat Wright, Carys Dallinger, Piper Flynn
