The Waratahs have put the final touches on a flawless Super Rugby Women’s season by chalking up the biggest grand final victory in history after a moment of madness saw Fijiana Drua’s playmaker Jennifer Ravutia stomp on a NSW player’s chest.
A hat-trick from Desiree Miller and two tries from her fellow winger Maya Stewart helped the Waratahs to a thumping 50-14 victory over the reigning two-time champions at Ballymore on Sunday afternoon.
The Waratahs opened up a 17-0 lead inside 25 minutes on the way to a fifth Super Rugby Women’s title in seven seasons.
It was the first time a Super Rugby Women’s team has scored 50 points in a final. The previous biggest margin of victory was the Waratahs’ 33-point win over the Queensland Reds in 2021.
Waratahs second-rower Atasi Lafai was named player of the match, while NSW backs Layne Morgan, Bella McKenzie and Georgina Friedrichs were also outstanding.
In the dying minutes, controversy erupted when Drua No.10 Jennifer Ravutia was sent from the field for deliberately stomping on NSW reserve Jade Sheridan.
The Waratahs celebrate their Super Rugby Women’s grand final victory on Sunday. Credit: Getty
Moments after making a late hit on McKenzie, the Waratahs No.10, Ravutia pushed her boot into Sheridan’s chest as she lay on the ground after a tackle.
The referee was alerted to the incident by a touch judge before giving Ravutia her second yellow card of the afternoon.
More to come
