Super Rugby Women: Teams Confirmed for Semi-Finals

After another exciting regular season, the Fijiana Drua top the tree with three wins from four matches, closely followed by Western Force with just +20 points difference between the two sides.

The defending champions New South Wales Waratahs have not had the straight-forward season that they may have anticipated, and enter the play-offs in third place with two wins and two losses to their name. Queensland Reds take fourth spot in the ladder to qualify for the knock-outs, with the Brumbies now eliminated.

The action gets underway across the Pacific Islands, with the Fijiana Drua welcoming Queensland Reds Women to Chruchill Park in Lautoka, before the action then crosses the width of Australia as all eyes turn to Perth. Western Force Women host the Waratahs, in what doubles up as a blockbuster day of action at HBF Park, alongside the Wallabies Nations Championship Test with Italy.

Venue: Churchill Park
Host city: Lautoka, Fiji
Kick-off: 12:05pm FJT / 11:05am AEST / 12:05am BST

The Fijiana Drua will look to take another step towards the Super Rugby Women's crown when they host the Queensland Reds in Saturday's semi-final at Churchill Park. After finishing the regular season as minor premiers, the Drua have earned home advantage for just the second semi-final to be played in Fiji, with another capacity crowd expected in Lautoka.

Standing in their way are a Queensland Reds outfit fresh from a statement victory over the NSW Waratahs, a result that secured fourth place and a finals berth. The Reds also carry the belief of having won in Lautoka before, upsetting the Drua on the same ground to open the 2025 campaign, and will be aiming to repeat that feat to book a place in next week's decider.

The Drua have opted for continuity after the three-week break, making just one change to the matchday 23 from their final regular-season fixture. Head coach Mike Legge has retained the same starting XV that secured top spot, with the only alteration coming on the bench as Ivamere Rokowati returns from injury to provide midfield cover.

Captain Kolora Lomani again leads the side from scrum-half alongside fly-half Varanisese Qoro, while Josivini Naihamu and Merewairita Neivosa continue their midfield partnership. The forward pack remains unchanged, with Karalaini Naisewa, Keleni Marawa and Tiana Robanakadavu forming the front row. Mereoni Nakesa and Carletta Yee continue in the second row, while Nunia Daunimoala, Salaseini Railumu and Sulita Waisega complete a settled loose forward trio.

"We're embracing the pressure," Legge said ahead of the club's historic home semi-final.

The Reds have also resisted the temptation to make sweeping changes after their impressive upset of the Waratahs, naming an unchanged starting side. The only adjustment comes on the bench, where Wests hooker Mary Tuaana replaces Ella Hopper as cover for in-form starter Zophronia Setu.

Head coach Andrew Fraser has rewarded the side that produced one of the performances of the season in Sydney, with captain Jemma Bemrose again leading a pack featuring Wallaroo prop Eva Karpani, Irish international Tiarna Molloy and standout back-rowers Zoe Hanna and Dillyn Blackburn. The halves combination of Sarah Dougherty and Lori Cramer remains intact after steering the Reds to victory over the Waratahs, while Cramer returns to Churchill Park hoping to recreate the success she enjoyed in Lautoka during the 2025 season.

"We've set the bar higher with the performance against the Waratahs," Fraser said.

"There were excellent performances across the field and the players will take extra belief into this game because of that result. The wins in Fiji and Sydney over the past two seasons show how the Reds program has developed and demonstrates one of our core values of resilience."

Cramer admitted the Reds are expecting a hostile atmosphere but believes her side is prepared for the challenge.

"We're expecting a lot of noise and energy from the crowd," she said. It'll be exciting, one to remember. We've spoken a bit about last year's game for the girls who haven't experienced playing in Fiji."

Starting XV: 1. Karalaini Naisewa, 2. Keleni Marawa, 3. Tiana Robanakadavu, 4. Mereoni Nakesa, 5. Carletta Yee, 6. Nunia Daunimoala, 7. Salaseini Railumu, 8. Sulita Waisega, 9. Kolora Lomani (c), 10. Varanisese Qoro, 11. Aqela Raitubu, 12. Josivini Naihamu, 13. Merewairita Neivosa, 14. Atelaite Buna, 15. Litiana Vueti

Replacements: 16. Bitila Tawake, 17. Zipporah Sorokacika, 18. Keri Lawavou, 19. Karavaki Lutumaibau, 20. Alfreda Fisher, 21. Evivi Senikarivi, 22. Ivamere Rokowati, 23. Verenaisi Ditavutu

Starting XV: 1. Hayley Glass, 2. Zophronia Setu, 3. Eva Karpani, 4. Lucy Thorpe, 5. Jemma Bemrose (c), 6. Zoe Hanna, 7. Dillyn Blackburn, 8. Tiarna Molloy, 9. Sarah Dougherty, 10. Lori Cramer, 11. Piper Flynn, 12. Ava Wereta, 13. Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea, 14. Charlie Brigstocke, 15. Harmony Vatau

Replacements: 16. Mary Tuaana, 17. Jordan Neal, 18. Tanya Kalounivale, 19. Vineta Teutau, 20. Sarah Riordan, 21. Evie Sampson, 22. Charity Wightman-Beaven, 23. Briana Dascombe

Venue: HBF Park
Host city: Perth, Australia
Kick-off: 2:00pm AWST / 4:00pm AEST / 9:00am BST

The Western Force will host the first Super Rugby Women's semi-final in the club's history on Saturday as they look to continue their fairytale campaign against six-time champions NSW Waratahs.

After securing a maiden victory over the Waratahs earlier this season and carrying a club-record three-match winning streak into the finals, the Force are now just one win away from reaching their first-ever Super Rugby Women's Grand Final. With top seeds Fijiana Drua facing the Queensland Reds in the other semi-final, the Force also know victory could earn them hosting rights for next week's decider should the Drua be eliminated.

The Waratahs, meanwhile, arrive in Perth with plenty of big-game experience despite finishing third on the ladder. Mike Ruthven's side has been boosted by the return of several key Wallaroos as they look to end the Force's remarkable run and book another Grand Final appearance.

The hosts have made several changes to the side that defeated the ACT Brumbies, with Zoe Elliott and former New Zealand touch international Atawhai Hotene both handed their first starts for the club. Elliott comes into the front row at tighthead prop alongside returning Wallaroo Allana Sikimeti and hooker Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke, who has crossed for a try in each of the Force's last three victories. Hotene earns her opportunity at inside centre after impressing from the bench last week, partnering co-captain Trilleen Pomare in midfield.

The Force have also welcomed back winger Aiysha Wigley after she completed concussion protocols, while Jiowana Sauto returns among the replacements after missing the Brumbies clash through injury. Suspensions have forced changes elsewhere, with Alapeta Ngauamo and midfielder Cecilia Smith unavailable following disciplinary sanctions in Round Five.

The remainder of the forward pack remains unchanged, with former Waratah Sera Naiqama partnering Wallaroos centurion Michaela Leonard in the second row, while Pia Tapsell, Anneka Stephens and Japanese international Seina Saito continue in the back row. Co-captain Samantha Wood again links up with Grace Freeman in the halves, with Freeman continuing her return after a lengthy injury lay-off.

"This group has earned the opportunity to play in a historic home semi-final," the Force will hope, knowing victory would move them within one game of a maiden championship.

The Waratahs have made three changes of their own, headlined by the return of Wallaroos speedster Maya Stewart for her first appearance of the season following an ankle injury. Stewart slots straight onto the right wing, while Australia Sevens star Tia Hinds is set to make her Waratahs debut at scrum-half. Wallaroo prop Faliki Pohiva also returns to the starting front row, replacing Bridie O'Gorman.

The backline has been reshuffled around Hinds' inclusion, with Waiaria Ellis moving to fly-half and Pleuni Kievit shifting to outside centre alongside Rosie Ferguson. Desiree Miller moves to fullback, while Amelia Whitaker switches to the left wing. Captain Emily Chancellor will bring up her 31st Super Rugby Women's appearance, moving into outright fifth on the Waratahs' all-time caps list, while O'Gorman could become the club's second-most capped player if introduced from the bench.

"We welcome the return of Maya Stewart and Caitlyn Halse and the Waratahs debut of Tia Hinds this week," head coach Mike Ruthven said. "To have their experience join the group at a critical time is incredibly valuable for the team. The return of these players has allowed us to look at a different picture in the backline which we are really excited about."

Starting XV: Allana Sikimeti, Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke, Zoe Elliott, Sera Naiqama, Michaela Leonard, Pia Tapsell, Anneka Stephens, Seina Saito, Samantha Wood (co-c), Grace Freeman, Aiysha Wigley, Atawhai Hotene, Trilleen Pomare (co-c), Adi Vani Buleki, Nicole Ledington.

Replacements: Brooklyn Teki-Joyce, Hannah Palelei, Jiowana Sauto, Keira MacAskill, Yuna Sato, Taylor Waterson, Ai Dickson, Halley Derera.

Starting XV: Brianna Hoy, Brittany Merlo, Faliki Pohiva, Leilani Nathan, Kaitlan Leaney (vc), Ruby Anderson, Emily Chancellor (c), Piper Duck, Tia Hinds, Waiaria Ellis, Amelia Whitaker, Rosie Ferguson, Pleuni Kievit, Maya Stewart, Desiree Miller (vc).

Replacements: Nancy Volkman, Emily Robinson, Bridie O'Gorman, Grace Gillies, Nicole Nathan, Edie Burke, Lusiana Vesikula, Caitlyn Halse.

Starting XV: 1. Allana Sikimeti, 2. Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke, 3. Zoe Elliott, 4. Sera Naiqama, 5. Michaela Leonard, 6. Pia Tapsell, 7. Anneka Stephens, 8. Seina Saito, 9. Samantha Wood (co-c), 10. Grace Freeman, 11. Aiysha Wigley, 12. Trilleen Pomare (co-c), 13. Atawhai Hotene, 14. Adi Vani Buleki, 15. Nicole Ledington

Replacements: 16. Hannah Palelei, 17. Jiowana Sauto, 18. Brooklyn Teki-Joyce, 19. Keira MacAskill, 20. Yuna Sato, 21. Taylor Waterson, 22. Ai Dickson, 23. Halley Derera

Starting XV: 1. Brianna Hoy, 2. Brittany Merlo, 3. Faliki Pohiva, 4. Leilani Nathan, 5. Kaitlan Leaney (vc), 6. Ruby Anderson, 7. Emily Chancellor (c), 8. Piper Duck, 9. Tia Hinds, 10. Waiaria Ellis, 11. Amelia Whitaker, 12. Rosie Ferguson, 13. Pleuni Kievit, 14. Maya Stewart, 15. Desiree Miller (vc)

Replacements: 16. Nancy Volkman, 17. Emily Robinson, 18. Bridie O'Gorman, 19. Grace Gillies, 20. Nicole Nathan, 21. Edie Burke, 22. Lusiana Vesikula, 23. Caitlyn Halse