The Auckland Blues won the battle of the Super Rugby Champions with victory over the NSW Waratahs. Photo: Mark Kolbe/AAP PHOTOS
The NSW Waratahs have fallen agonisingly short of pulling off a stunning upset, with the Auckland-based Blues prevailing in the clash of the women’s Super Rugby Champions.
In a thrilling contest for trans-Tasman glory where momentum swung wildly throughout, the Blues emerged with a 24-17 victory at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday.
Despite impressive performances against the Western Force (33-22) and the Fijian Drua (34-17) to clinch a three-peat and their seventh Super Rugby Women’s title, the Waratahs entered the clash against New Zealand’s Super Rugby Aupiki winners as the clear underdogs.
Auckland captain Maia Roos was among the scorers and got her hands on the trophy. (Mark Kolbe/AAP PHOTOS)
The Blues had prevailed handsomely in this crossover clash’s first iteration in 2025, thumping the Waratahs 36-5 in cyclonic conditions in Auckland.
“We certainly challenged the Blues tonight,” NSW coach Michael Ruthven told reporters after Saturday’s match.
“We made life really difficult for them at times, and that’s a reflection of what this team’s capable of.
“We dominated – certainly dominated territory and field position … probably just ball security and fundamental errors cost us.”
Itt was the home side who drew first blood on Saturday when a looping cut-out pass from Caitlyn Halse in the seventh minute found Wallaroos try machine Maya Stewart who, with a cheeky side-step, posted the opening five points.
Maya Stewart runs in her opening try for the Waratahs. (Mark Kolbe/AAP PHOTOS)
The Waratahs held sway over the contest during multiple spells but were unable to consistently convert dominant positions into points.
NSW captain Emily Chancellor said being within sight of victory so often left her with a cocktail of emotions after the defeat.
“I think it’s pride, I think there’s obviously a devastation in losing particularly when we know we had those opportunities,” she said.
“(We) put on a performance that shows that trans-Tasman is a genuine option, this isn’t a walkover game for them.
“We have no idea how they came over thinking it was going to go, but I’m so proud to be able to say that that was a genuinely entertaining game of rugby.”
Waratahs celebrate a try scored by playmaker Waiaria Ellis. (Mark Kolbe/AAP PHOTOS)
The Blues flexed their attacking style when Braxton Sorensen-McGee cleaved through the Waratahs’ left flank with a chip and chase before deftly handing off to winger Katelyn Vaha’akolo to put the visitors seven in front.
Heroic NSW defending, including crucial turnovers conjured by stand-out fly half Waiaria Ellis, would ultimately fall flat as the relentless Blues gained a 14-point lead the hosts were only able to whittle down to seven.
Multiple chances deep in the Blues’ half, including a clever intercept from vice-captain Kaitlan Leaney, kept the home crowd’s hearts in their mouths, but the Kiwis held their nerve as the clock wound down to claim the silverware.
Chryss Viliko was among the try scorers for the Blues. (Mark Kolbe/AAP PHOTOS)
“We were under the pump in that last nine or ten minutes,” Blues coach Willie Walker admitted.
Auckland captain Maia Roos said achieving the triumph became a matter of gritting teeth and holding on.
“We have such talented leaders within our group and so I didn’t have to say much,” Roos said.
“We had girls talking about the heart that we needed to show.
“Being brave … making decisions moment to moment.
“We train under pressure.”
Australian Associated Press
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