Fijian Drua will look to complete three titles in a row when they face the NSW Waratahs in the 2024 Buildcorp Super Rugby Women’s Grand Final at Ballymore Stadium next Sunday.
The Drua’s quest for a historic threepeat remained on track with a 25-14 semi-final win over the Western Force at a sold-out HFC Bank Stadium in Suva earlier today.
Drua fullback Atelaite Buna was at her elusive best in Suva, scoring three tries to the delight of the capacity crowd, as the Western Force were left to rue missed opportunities in their maiden finals appearance.
The game was closer than the Drua might have liked as they missed two penalty kicks and three conversions – all from directly in front or on a slight angle – to leave the margin at just one point late in the second half.
They trailed 11-10 at halftime but all Buna needed was some clean air to put distance on the improved Force, streaking for two long-range tries to go with a first-half effort from close range that was sealed with an emphatic swan dive.
Bitila Tawake of the Fijian Drua runs with the ball during the Super Rugby Women’s Semi Final match between Fijian Drua and Western Force at HFC Bank Stadium. (Photo by Pita Simpson/Getty Images)
In the second semi-final, the Waratahs advanced with a a 47-27 victory over the ACT Brumbies at Allianz Stadium.
NSW winger Desiree Miller bagged a hat-trick as the Brumbies bowed out at the semi-final stage for the second year in a row.
The Waratahs head into the Grand Final on the back of a dominant undefeated season, and boasting the competition’s leading try-scorer Maya Stewart (11 tries) and leading point-scorer Arabella McKenzie (59 points).
“It feels unreal,” Miller said.
“We worked on a lot during the week, and it was good to put it all into action tonight.
“We stayed calm, and we stayed patient and that’s what resulted in my hat-trick. I couldn’t have done it without the girls.
“The Brumbies is always a tough match so I’m just glad that we could hold them out and get that win.
“We’ve just got to keep the same prep for the Drua. If we just stick to our processes and build on those one-percenters, I feel like we’ll have a really good shot.”
2024 BUILDCORP SUPER RUGBY WOMEN’S GRAND FINAL
NSW Waratahs vs. Fijian Drua
2.05pm AEST Sunday 28 April
Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane