Waratahs Super W streak rolls on against Force
NSW Waratahs have survived a surprise scare to preserve their incredible four-year unbeaten record in Super W rugby.
The four-time champions needed two late tries to see off the Western Force 31-14 at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday.
The match was tied up at 14-14 until the 63rd minute when Georgina Tuipulotu dived over in the right corner to break the deadlock.
Prop Bridie O'Gorman then secured the victory with an unlikely but memorable 30-metre runaway try after following through a chip kick from a Waratahs lineout win.
"That is the best try I have ever seen," said Waratahs captain Katrina Barker.
"But that's all heart. She chased the kick, she was the only one there and that's all heart."
The Waratahs remain undefeated in 20 matches since the Super W's establishment in 2018.
But the latest victory didn't come easily, with the Force putting up more than a fight for the opening hour and a bit.
"Definitely proud of the girls. We stayed in it," said Force skipper Trilleen Pomare.
"We were in it that whole 80. I think it just fell away from us that last 10.
"Disappointed at losing - we're not here to just have snakes and halftime oranges - but proud of the girls."
Drua defy Reds to win again in Super W
The Fijiana Drua have backed up their Super W debut with another impressive win, overcoming the Queensland Reds 27-12 at Suncorp Stadium.
The newcomers thumped Melbourne last weekend but knew they faced a stiffer task on Saturday when the Reds controlled the early stages and scored first through Ivania Wong.
The Drua had just 20 per cent of possession in the first half as the Reds attempted to control proceedings with their scrum.
But the hosts couldn't convert that to points, the Drua instead crossing twice when the chance presented before the break.
First Doreen Narokete outfoxed the Reds' defence from close range after five-eighth Merewalesi Rokouono had charged down a kick.
Lethal winger Vitalina Naikore scored the first of her two tries to make it 12-5 at the break, before teammate Jade Coates barged over to begin the second half.
Naikore's second was followed by hooker Vika Matarugu's clincher to make it 27 consecutive points for the visitors.
"You give them an extra possession and they kill you," Reds captain Shannon Parry said.
"We left a few points out there in the first half and couldn't execute when we got that territory.
"They're a quality team and they showed that today ... we've got to be a lot more clinical."
Reds' scrumhalf Sarah Lewis was sharp while 16-year-old centre Maleala Sua turned heads with a brave, physical performance.
Ellie Draper scored a consolation try for the Reds, who moved to 1-1 this season ahead of a clash with the Brumbies next week.
The Drua play the Western Force next before an anticipated clash with defending champions the NSW Waratahs a week later.
"The girls did a good job, but more still to work on," Drua captain Sereima Leweniqila said.
"Waratahs ... yes, we're definitely looking forward to that game."
Rebels secure last-ditch Super W draw
Melbourne Rebels halfback Georgia Cormick has nailed a conversion after the fulltime siren to snatch a hard-earned 17-17 draw with the Brumbies in the Super W competition.
The Rebels looked down and out at AAMi Park on Friday evening, trailing by seven points with a minute remaining when Cormick made a late charge but spilt the ball.
But the Brumbies gave away a penalty at the breakdown as they attempted to chew up the remaining seconds.
Cormick took a tap and tireless Melbourne hooker Ashley Marsters charged toward the line.
Eirenei Nanai was then awarded a try after the home side hammered a hole in the Brumbies' defence with Test halfback Cormick stepping up to level the scores.
After a 66-5 shellacking by the Fijian Drua last round, the Rebels players celebrated like it was win.
"That was an absolute grind from the kick-off," said Melbourne skipper Mel Kawa.
"We knew it was going to come down to the wire and the last two times we've met we've just come up short so we've been fighting for this kind of result for a long time."
The Brumbies led 5-0 at halftime with the sole try scored by skipper Rebecca Smyth coming after they showed patience to work the ball through nine phases.
They should have had a much greater lead after dominating territory and possession.
But the Rebels got their tails up early in the second half, taking advantage of the Brumbies losing winger Jemima McCalman to a yellow-card for a high tackle on Jade Te Aute.
They levelled two minutes in through a rolling maul with flanker Michaela Maunsell scoring a try.
McCalman made amends with a 55th minute try, beating three defenders to score.
While Wallaroo Marsters then crossed to keep the Rebels in the hunt, it looked like they would fall short when Brumbies replacement Biola Dawa dotted down in the 70th minute.