Waratahs remain unbeaten ahead of Super W finals

Fri, Apr 21, 2023, 9:20 AM
Melissa Woods - AAP
by Melissa Woods - AAP
The Waratahs have secured the minor premiership in Super W. Photo: Getty Images
The Waratahs have secured the minor premiership in Super W. Photo: Getty Images

The NSW Waratahs will march into the Super W semi-finals with their unbeaten record intact after rolling the Rebels 29-0 in their last round clash in Melbourne.

The table-topping Waratahs have set themselves up for a final four assault at Concord Oval in Sydney on April 30, running in five tries in their Friday night clash at AAMI Park.

Don’t miss the Buildcorp Super W Semi-Finals next Sunday at Concord Oval in Sydney from 1:00 PM. Click the link to purchase tickets

Queensland currently hold down second place with three teams - 2022 champions Fijiana Drua, the Western Force and Brumbies - still in the scramble for the other two play-off spots.

Currently sitting fourth, the Force are two points clear of the Brumbies who they host on Saturday night.

Stand-in Waratahs captain Grace Hamilton said it was a solid workout for her side, who will take on the fourth-placed team.

"We knew the Rebels were going to come out, they had nothing to lose here at home," Hamilton told Stan Sport.

"They got us physically and we had to wear them out, and grind them out, and we got a bit messy at the start of the second half so we'll look into that and see how we can be better for next week."

Melbourne (0-5) have finished without a win but showed their improvement through the season to hold the rampant Tahs to 24 points.

They trailed 12-0 until just before halftime when debutante winger Jacinta Windsor showed her pace to dash 60m in and around the defence to score.

NSW's early tries came after hooker Katalina Amosa mauled the ball across the line to open the scoring and then Wallaroos No.8 Hamilton powered over from a five-metre scrum.

Waratahs halfback Tatum Bird had a busy game while Test centre Georgina Friedrichs was a constant threat.

Starved of possession and territory in the first half, the Rebels were constantly on the back foot and incurred 11 penalties.

But they settled into the match after the break with their skipper Wallaroos hooker Ash Marsters leading the way with some big hits.

They showed heart to regularly repel the visitors in the second half, even while down a player after prop Laiema Bosenavulagi was yellow carded.

The hosts held the Waratahs out until the 75th minute when a clearing kick by Rebels centre Wasie Toolis was charged down by Iliseva Batibasaga, who turned and pounced on the ball in the in-goal.

Speedster Maya Stewart then iced the win in the dying minutes after a spectacular team try that stretched 60 metres.

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