There have been several players that have broken out in Super W in 2023.
From teenage sensations to International stars, here are seven players that have made a name for themselves this season.
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Waratahs - Caitlyn Halse
Remember the name
The teenager burst onto the scene as the youngest player - male or female - to represent NSW in Super Rugby or Super W at just 16 years and 187 days old when she started the opener against the Western Force.
Halse didn’t look out of place at the back, setting up a pair of tries in the 43-0 win over the Western Force before sealing the 24-13 victory over the Brumbies a week later.
The year 11 Magdalene Catholic College student still juggles school and Super commitments but has emerged as one of the key pieces of their backline thanks to her elite ball running, vision and a booming boot that astute judges believe is one of the best in Super W.
Captain Piper Duck has no doubts Halse could handle the hype and pressure of a potential Wallaroos call-up next month against Fijiana, with strong performances in the finals only doing her chances good.
Waratahs - Ella Ryan
Ryan has impressed for the Waratahs since making the move from the Brumbies.
The playmaker slotted into the starting side after the departure of Wallaroos superstar Arabella McKenzie to England.
It came off the back of a promising trials against the Queensland Reds and a pair of Super Rugby Aupiki sides.
Ryan came back to haunt her old side, scoring in their 24-13 win over the Brumbies in Canberra.
She has switched between flyhalf and centre, forming a solid combination with Wallaroo Layne Morgan
Reds - Carys Dallinger
Dallinger has been one of the signings of Super W, inspiring a Reds side hunger to return to the Final.
The 22-year-old made the move to Queensland after impressing for Manawatu in the Farah Palmer Cup before establishing her spot in the Hurricanes Poua side in Super Rugby Aupiki.
Dallinger was a part of the New Zealand team that won gold at the 2018 Youth Olympics in Rugby Sevens, although suddenly revealed she is Australian eligible via her father only a couple of weeks ago.
She made her Reds debut alongside fellow Kiwi Diane Hiini against the Force in round two, thrust into the starting line-up a week later against the Brumbies, guiding them home.
Since then, Dallinger has started every single game since for the Reds, with her kicking game and game management real highlights of her game.
The playmaker’s combination with Hiini will prove the difference as they eye off a home final in Townsville.
Brumbies - Faitala Moleka
Moleka represents some of the best young talent coming through the Australian pathways.
The teenage playmaker made her debut against Fijiana Drua in the opening Round and has been one of the Brumbies’ best.
Before the start of the season, coach Scott Fava identified Moleka as one of the players to watch and it’s easy to see why with how she glides across the park.
She was influential in their crucial 45-27 win over the Western Force, contributing 20 points as they ran away with the game on the back of a first half blitz.
Moleka has split her time between Super W and the AON Next Gen Sevens competition in 2023, impressing for the Rising Stars against NSW and Queensland teams stacked with Australian Sevens talent.
Expect her to split time between flyhalf and fullback on Sunday, combining nicely with Wallaroos centre Siokapesi Palu and flyhalf Gabby Peterson
Rebels - Mia-Rae Clifford
Clifford has made a seamless transition from AFLW to emerge as a key weapon for the Rebels.
Clifford represented the Melbourne Demons, Geelong and the Fremantle Dockers in Australian Rules, while also captaining Essendon to a VFLW premiership earlier this year.
The Bombers still named Clifford as co-captain for the 2023 VFLW season despite her brief adventure to Rugby Union such is her standing with Essendon
She was attracted across by recently retired Rebels vice-captain Meretiana Robinson and has been immense on the wing for the Melbourne side.
The 36-year-old scored off the bench on debut against Fijiana Drua, using her AFLW skills to latch onto a cross field kick and score.
Naturally, her boot is a major weapon at the back for the Rebels, allowing them to constantly get out of trouble and control territory
Force - Martha Mataele
Martha Mataele has emerged as one of the major damaging wingers in Super W.
Mataele joined husband Manasa at the Force, the only husband and wife combo to ever take the field for the same club in the same year.
It came off the back of an electric season for Canterbury in the Farah Palmer Cup, scoring five tries in four games before helping Matutu to the Aupiki title.
She scored in the Force’s last three Super W games, helping them to victories over the Rebels and Fijiana Drua.
This was backed up by a double against the Brumbies, with the winger brutalising opposition with her trademark fend and impressive strength.
