Super Rugby Women's 2026 Team of the Week Round Five

Tue, Jul 7, 2026, 12:35 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
NSW Waratahs host the Queensland Reds in Round 5 of Swyftx Super Rugby Women's 2026.

The final round of the Super Rugby Women's regular season threw up a massive surprise as the teams fought for their finals hopes.

The Queensland Reds stunned the NSW Waratahs for a famous win in Sydney, booking their spot in the semi-finals.

Watch every second of Super Rugby Women's live and on demand via Stan Sport.

This followed the Western Force producing a clutch victory over the ACT Brumbies, locking up a home semi-final.

Rugby.com.au selects its Team of the Week from Round Five.

Front Row: Martha Fua (ACT Brumbies), Zophronia Setu (Queensland Reds) and Faliki Pohiva (NSW Waratahs)

Fua got through a monster shift for the Brumbies, making a round-high 22 carries with 55 post-contact metres and three tackle busts.

It was a similar story for Pohiva, who managed a remarkable 10 tackle busts as she just out-pointed fellow Wallaroo Eva Karpani.

But it was Setu who was the star of the front-row, excellent across the park with 15 carries and tackles.

Second Row: Jemma Bemrose (Queensland Reds) and Michaela Leonard (Western Force)

Bemrose got through a mountain of work in the win, including 25 tackles in testing conditions.

She partners with Leonard, who remains in the team of the week after proving a physical force in defence with several thumping hits.

Back Row: Zoe Hanna (Queensland Reds), Siokapesi Palu Sekona and Tabua Tuinakauvadra (both ACT Brumbies)

Hanna was brilliant for the Reds, producing a team high 92 metres with four tackle busts and a key second half turnover.

She is joined by Brumbies duo Palu Sekona and Tuinakauvadra, who helped power through the Force’s forward pack.

Palu Sekona led the way with four tackle busts while the number eight had three line break assists in defeat.

Halves: Sarah Dougherty and Lori Cramer (both Queensland Reds)

The Reds duo were instrumental in the testing conditions to break their Waratah drought.

Dougherty’s first half snip typified her afternoon, winning the penalty try and the numbers advantage whilst Cramer helped win the territory battle late as she mastered the wet conditions.

Centres: Ava Wereta and Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea (both Queensland Reds)

The Queensland dominance continues as the former Sevens players stood out on the weekend.

Lefau-Fakaosilea was particularly dominant, recording five tackle busts, with Wereta’s break crucial in setting up Hanna’s try.

Outside Backs: Amelia Whitaker (NSW Waratahs), Vani Buleki and Nicole Ledington (both Western Force)

Whitaker continues her breakout season with a strong all-around game, with the highlight coming thanks to a brilliant try off a Pleuni Klevit kick.

Force duo Buleki and Ledington round out the team, with the Fijian-born winger crossing for a powerful try as Ledington finished the night with two line breaks and four tackle busts. 

Rugby.com.au's TOTW from Round Five of Super Rugby Women's

1. Martha Fua

2. Zophronia Setu

3. Faliki Pohiva

4. Jemma Bemrose

5. Michaela Leonard

6. Zoe Hanna

7. Siokapesi Palu Sekona

8. Tabua Tuinakauvadra

9. Sarah Dougherty

10. Lori Cramer

11. Amelia Whitaker

12. Ava Wereta

13. Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea

14. Vani Buleki

15. Nicole Ledington

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