Super Rugby Women: Team News for Round 1 as NSW Waratahs begin title defence

Now entering its ninth season, Super Rugby Women’s continues to grow in stature, with domestic success carrying even greater significance this year. The competition winner will earn the right to host New Zealand’s Super Rugby Aupiki champion in the Women’s Super Rugby Champions Final at Leichhardt Oval in August, adding an extra layer of incentive to an already fiercely contested campaign.

The Waratahs open their title defence against the Fijian Drua at Leichhardt Oval in a clash between the only two teams to have lifted the trophy since the competition’s inception. While NSW are chasing a third consecutive championship, the Drua arrive in Sydney with a heavily refreshed squad and ambitions of reclaiming the crown they last won in 2023.

Meanwhile, the Queensland Reds host the ACT Brumbies at Ballymore in a fixture featuring several new international recruits and Wallaroos hopefuls. The Reds are looking to go one step further after finishing runners-up last season, while the Brumbies will hope a number of key additions can help launch a stronger title challenge.

The Western Force begin their campaign with the opening-round bye before entering the competition in Round Two.

The defending champion NSW Waratahs begin their Super Rugby Women’s title defence against a significantly refreshed Fijian Drua side on Saturday, with both teams unveiling new-look backlines for the opening match of the 2026 season at Leichhardt Oval.

The Waratahs will be without injured all-time leading try-scorer Maya Stewart, forcing a reshuffle out wide as Amelia Whitaker comes into the starting XV. There is also a fresh look in the halves, where Wallaroos debutant Piper Simons partners Dutch international Pleuni Klevit, while Caitlyn Halse returns from injury at fullback. Up front, Leilani Nathan makes her comeback in the second row and joins sister Nicole Nathan in the starting pack, with Emily Chancellor captaining the side from openside flanker.

The Drua arrive in Sydney with a vastly changed squad, featuring 10 players set to make their club debuts. Experienced internationals Aqela Raitubu, Varanisese Qoro and Ivamere Rokowati headline the new additions in the backline, while Karavaki Lutumaibau partners Mereoni Nakesa in the second row. Veteran hooker Bitila Tawake captains the side and is one of just four starters remaining from the Drua team that claimed the Super Rugby Women’s title in 2023.

WARATAHS XV (1–15): 1. Brianna Hoy, 2. Adiana Talakai, 3. Bridie O'Gorman, 4. Leilani Nathan, 5. Kaitlan Leaney, 6. Piper Duck, 7. Emily Chancellor (c), 8. Nicole Nathan, 9. Piper Simons, 10. Pleuni Klevit, 11. Desiree Miller, 12. Rosie Ferguson, 13. Georgina Friedrichs, 14. Amelia Whitaker, 15. Caitlyn Halse.
Replacements: 16. Brittany Merlo, 17. Emily Robinson, 18. Seneti Kilisimasi, 19. Grace Gillies, 20. Taj Heald, 21. Martha Harvey, 22. Edie Burke, 23. Lusiana Vesikula.

FIJIANA DRUA XV (1–15): 1. Karalaini Naisewa, 2. Bitila Tawake (c), 3. Tiana Robanakadavu, 4. Mereoni Nakesa, 5. Karavaki Lutumaibau, 6. Carletta Yee, 7. Nunia Daunimoala, 8. Alfreda Fisher, 9. Evivi Senikarivi, 10. Varanisese Qoro, 11. Aqela Raitubu, 12. Josivini Naihamu, 13. Ivamere Rokowati, 14. Kolora Lomani, 15. Litiana Vueti.
Replacements: 16. Keleni Marawa, 17. Zipporah Sorokacika, 18. Keri Lawavou, 19. Vilisi Tivalele, 20. Salaseini Railumu, 21. Vatiseva Cavuru, 22. Ruth Raketekete, 23. Michella’e Stolz.

Queensland Reds head coach Andrew Fraser has handed new recruit Akira Kelly the No.10 jersey for Sunday’s season opener against the ACT Brumbies, with both sides unveiling a number of fresh faces for the start of the 2026 Super Rugby Women’s campaign.

Kelly will partner Sarah Dougherty in the halves as the Reds look to go one better after falling short in last season’s final. Wallaroos debutant Dillyn Blackburn is selected in the second row alongside returning lock Deni Ross, while Black Ferns prop Tanya Kalounivale is poised to make her club debut from the bench. Queensland captain Jemma Bemrose leads a forward pack featuring Wallaroos stars Eva Karpani, Zoe Hanna and Tiarna Molloy.

The Brumbies have also recruited heavily, with Japanese international Wako Kitano named to start in the front row and former Wallaroo Ivania Wong selected on the wing. Spanish international Anne Fernandez de Corres combines with Ella Ryan in the halves, while experienced back-rower Tabua Tuinakauvadra returns from injury via the bench. New recruit Millie Parker is also among the replacements as the Canberra side looks to improve on last year’s campaign.

REDS XV (1–15): 1. Jordan Neal, 2. Mary Tuaana, 3. Eva Karpani, 4. Deni Ross, 5. Dillyn Blackburn, 6. Jemma Bemrose (c), 7. Zoe Hanna, 8. Tiarna Molloy, 9. Sarah Dougherty, 10. Akira Kelly, 11. Piper Flynn, 12. Ava Wereta, 13. Harmony Vatau, 14. Aroha Spillane, 15. Lori Cramer.

Replacements: 16. Zophronia Setu, 17. Bree-Anna Browne, 18. Tanya Kalounivale, 19. Vineta Teutau, 20. Lucy Thorpe, 21. Evie Sampson, 22. Briana Dascombe, 23. Kaelyn Passi.

ACT BRUMBIES XV (1–15): 1. Martha Fua, 2. Tania Naden, 3. Wako Kitano, 4. Ash Fernandez, 5. Jess Grant, 6. Lily Bone, 7. Rayna Ellis, 8. Siokapesi Palu Sekona, 9. Anne Fernandez de Corres, 10. Ella Ryan, 11. Ivania Wong, 12. Merania Paraone, 13. Bonnie Brewer, 14. Ash Bishop, 15. Faitala Moleka.

Replacements: 16. Millie Parker, 17. Linda Emelio, 18. Jane Morrison, 19. Easter Savelio, 20. Tabua Tuinakauvadra, 21. Georgie Hayes, 22. Makenna Ravouvou, 23. Paua Lee.