NSW Waratahs Women

New South Wales Waratahs Women

Union	Rugby Australia New South Wales Rugby Union
Founded	2017;8 years ago (2017)
Location	Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Region	New South Wales
Coach(es)	Michael Ruthven
Captain(s)	Piper Duck
League(s)	Super W
2024	Champions (5th title)
1st kit 2nd kit
Official website
waratahs.rugby

The New South Wales Waratahs Women are an Australian rugby union team that represents New South Wales in the Super Rugby Women's competition. They are the most successful team so far, having won five titles.

History

Super W announced

In 2017, Rugby Australia announced that a national women's rugby competition would commence in March 2018, with the New South Wales Waratahs to have a women's team. ^{[1] [2]} The announcement was made on the same day that Rugby Australia outlined its intentions to bid for the 2021 Women's Rugby World Cup. ^{[2] [3]}

Inaugural season champions

The Waratahs Women were hosted by the Queensland Reds Women at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane for the season's opener. It was a double header with the Super Rugby match between the Queensland Reds and the Bulls. ^[4]

On 20 April 2018, the women's New South Wales Waratahs made history by winning the first season of women's 15-a-side rugby, with captain Ashleigh Hewson kicking the winning penalty goal in the ninety-second minute. New South Wales Waratahs Women's were victorious over the Queensland Reds 16–13 at Stadium Australia. ^{[5] [6]}

2024

The Waratahs Women went undefeated throughout the entire season before beating the Fijian Drua in the final to win their fifth Super Rugby title. ^{[7] [8]} Desirée Miller scored a hat-trick and Maya Stewart scored a double in their sides first title win since 2021. ^{[8] [9]}

Current squad

On 29 January 2025, the squad for the 2025 Super Rugby Women's season was announced. ^{[10] [11]}

Waratahs Super W squad
Props Bridie O'Gorman Emily Robinson Faliki Pohiva Georgia Chapple Seneti Kilisimasi Suisuiosalafai Volkman Hookers Adiana Talakai Brittany Merlo Millie Parker Locks Annabelle Codey Atasi Lafai Jayjay Taylor Kaitlan Leaney Tahlia Morgan	Loose Forwards Emily Chancellor Leilani Nathan Piper Duck (c) Ruby Anderson Scrum-halves Martha Harvey Tatum Bird Tiarne Cavanagh Fly-halves Arabella McKenzie Waiaria Ellis	Centres Georgina Friedrichs Katrina Barker Jade Sheridan Nicole Nathan Outside Backs Amelia Whitaker Caitlyn Halse Desirée Miller Jacinta Windsor Maya Stewart Sariah Paki
(c) Denotes team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped and ST indicated short-term cover.

Season standings

Year	Position	Pld	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	BP	Pts	Play-offs
2024	1st	5	5	0	0	224	88	+136	4	24	Defeated Fijiana Drua in final
2023	1st	5	5	0	0	158	48	+110	0	24	Defeated by Fijiana Drua in Semi-final
2022	2nd	5	4	0	1	185	70	+115	4	20	Defeated by Fijiana Drua in final
2021	1st (Pool A)	3	2	0	1	97	64	+33	2	10	Defeated Reds in final
2020	1st	4	4	0	0	131	21	+110	3	19	Playoffs cancelled due to COVID-19
2019	1st	4	4	0	0	138	24	+114	3	19	Defeated Reds in final
2018	1st	4	4	0	0	131	15	+116	2	18	Defeated Reds in final

Coaching staff

• Head Coach: Michael Ruthven
• Assistant Coach: Sam Needs
• Assistant Coach: Shaun McCreedy

References

1. "Super W: Rugby Australia announces national women's competition, but advocate slams lack of player wages". ABC . 13 December 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
2. Buckley, James (13 December 2017). "Rugby Australia launch Super W national women's rugby competition". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
3. Buckley, James (13 December 2017). "Rugby Australia launch Super W national women's rugby competition". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
4. "Inaugural buildcorp Super W competition officially launched". nsw.rugby. 8 March 2018. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
5. "Waratahs win inaugural Super W grand final in golden point thriller". The Guardian . 20 April 2018. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
6. Warren, Adrian (21 April 2018). "NSW edge past Queensland Super W rugby final thriller". The Roar . Retrieved 11 August 2018.
7. Williamson, Nathan (28 April 2024). "NSW Waratahs complete perfect season with commanding win over Fijian Drua". www.rugby.com.au. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
8. "NSW Waratahs trounce Drua to claim fifth Super Rugby Women's title". ABC News. 28 April 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
9. "NSW Waratahs crush Fijian Drua to claim fifth Super Rugby W crown". The Guardian. 28 April 2024. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 29 April 2024.
10. "Squad Announced for 2025 Super Rugby Women's Season". waratahs.rugby. 29 January 2025. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
11. Williamson, Nathan (29 January 2025). "Super Rugby Women's squads confirmed for 2025 season". www.rugby.com.au. Retrieved 7 February 2025.

External links

• Official website