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.
| Union | Rugby Australia New South Wales Rugby Union | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2017 | ||
| Location | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | ||
| Region | New South Wales | ||
| Coach(es) | Michael Ruthven | ||
| League(s) | Super W | ||
| 2024 | Champions (5th title) | ||
| |||
| Official website | |||
| waratahs | |||
History
editSuper W announced
editIn 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
editThe 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
editThe 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
editOn 20 February 2024, the squad for the 2024 Super Rugby Women's season was announced.[10][11]
| Waratahs Super W squad | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Props
Hookers
Locks
|
Loose forwards
Scrum-halves
Fly-halves
|
Centres
Outside Backs
|
| (c) Denotes team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped and ST indicated short-term cover. | ||
Season standings
edit| 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
edit- Head Coach: Michael Ruthven
- Assistant Coach: Sam Needs
- Assistant Coach: Shaun McCreedy
References
edit- ^ "Super W: Rugby Australia announces national women's competition, but advocate slams lack of player wages". ABC. 13 December 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
- ^ a b Buckley, James (13 December 2017). "Rugby Australia launch Super W national women's rugby competition". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
- ^ Buckley, James (13 December 2017). "Rugby Australia launch Super W national women's rugby competition". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
- ^ "Inaugural buildcorp Super W competition officially launched". nsw.rugby. 8 March 2018. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
- ^ "Waratahs win inaugural Super W grand final in golden point thriller". The Guardian. 20 April 2018. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
- ^ Warren, Adrian (21 April 2018). "NSW edge past Queensland Super W rugby final thriller". The Roar. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
- ^ Williamson, Nathan (28 April 2024). "NSW Waratahs complete perfect season with commanding win over Fijian Drua". www.rugby.com.au. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
- ^ a b "NSW Waratahs trounce Drua to claim fifth Super Rugby Women's title". ABC News. 28 April 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
- ^ "NSW Waratahs crush Fijian Drua to claim fifth Super Rugby W crown". The Guardian. 28 April 2024. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
- ^ "Squad Announced for 2024 Super Rugby Women's Season". waratahs.rugby. 19 February 2024. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
- ^ Williamson, Nathan (20 February 2024). "Super Rugby Women's Squads confirmed for 2024 season". www.rugby.com.au. Retrieved 5 April 2024.