Wallaroo Emily Chancellor will be the Waratahs Women’s captain in 2026 as the team seek to win their seventh Super Rugby Women’s title.
The Sydney University flanker, 34, replaces Piper Duck as skipper, who has served as the team’s leader since 2023 and guided the side to two competition wins.
Chancellor is joined by Kaitlan Leaney and Desiree Miller in the leadership group for 2026.
And the 34-year-old was over the moon to become captain of the club she has supported since she was a child.
“I’m absolutely chuffed to be named captain of the NSW Waratahs Women’s team this year,” Chancellor said.
“I’ve played at the club since 2019 and grew up cheering for the boys from the stands with my dad.
“We have an exceptionally talented group of girls and a desire to keep pushing our potential. I’m excited to help play a part in our continued evolution.”
Born in Camperdown, Chancellor started playing rugby when she was 21 after previously being a netballer and swimmer.
The back-rower made her Wallaroos debut in 2018 against New Zealand before making her Waratahs debut the following year against the Brumbies.
The 34-year-old has gone on to make 27 appearances for the Waratahs, scoring four tries, as well as 37 caps for the Wallaroos. She has also represented Harlequins in the UK's Premier 15s and Mie Pearls in Japan.
Chancellor has made a successful return from injury after rupturing her ACL in Round 1 of Super Rugby Women’s in 2024, featuring in the Waratahs’ title-winning side in 2025, starting the 43-21 Grand Final victory against the Reds at North Sydney Oval.
Head coach Mike Ruthven was delighted for Chancellor to lead his team this season and thanked Duck for her contribution as captain over the past three years.
“We are really excited to announce Emily Chancellor as captain for 2026. Emily has been an outstanding leader at the Waratahs over a long period of time and we believe she is the right fit to lead the team,” Ruthven said.
“Emily has great respect amongst the players and staff, commands attention when engaging with the playing group and leads with real determination on the pitch.
“I would like to acknowledge and thank Piper Duck who has led with great conviction over the last few seasons. Piper is an outstanding young woman who will continue to have a positive influence over our playing group, both on and off the field”
You can sign up for a Waratahs Women’s membership here and buy tickets here
NSW Waratahs Women: 2026 Swyftx Super Rugby Women’s fixtures:
- Round 1: Saturday 6 June (2:05pm kick-off), Waratahs v Fijian Drua, Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
- Round 2: Sunday 14 June (2:05pm kick-off), ACT Brumbies v Waratahs, Viking Park, Canberra
- Round 3: BYE
- Round 4: Saturday 27 June (2:05pm kick-off), Western Force v Waratahs, Palmyra Rugby Club, Perth
- Round 5: Sunday 5 July (4:05pm kick-off), Waratahs v Queensland Reds, Leichhardt Oval
- Semi-finals: Friday 17 – Sunday 19 July
- Grand Final: Friday 24 – Sunday 26 July
- Women’s Super Rugby Champions Final: Saturday 1 August, Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
