Super Rugby Women: Round 2 - Waratahs stay unbeaten and Drua complete epic comeback

The defending champion NSW Waratahs maintaining their unbeaten domestic record while the Fijian Drua produced a stunning second-half comeback to secure their first win of the campaign.

In Lautoka, the Drua overturned a 14-point deficit in front of their home crowd, scoring three tries in a devastating 12-minute burst to deny the Western Force a historic first victory in Fiji. The result showcased the flair and resilience that has made the Drua one of the competition’s most dangerous sides.

Meanwhile in Canberra, the Waratahs reinforced their status as title favourites with a commanding 29-17 victory over the Brumbies. A dominant first-half display laid the foundation for NSW’s second consecutive win, ensuring the six-time champions remain the team to beat despite a spirited Brumbies fightback after the break. Here’s how Round Two unfolded across Super Rugby Women.

The Fijian Drua produced a remarkable second-half comeback to deny the Western Force victory in their opening match of the 2026 Super Rugby Women’s season, overturning a 14-point deficit to claim a thrilling 29-24 win at Churchill Park.

The Force appeared on track for a famous victory in Lautoka after Wallaroos scrum-half Sammy Wood crossed early in the second half to stretch the lead to 24-10. However, the defending champions responded in devastating fashion, scoring three tries in a 12-minute burst to snatch victory.

The visitors dominated possession and territory throughout much of the opening half and were rewarded when Allana Sikimeti crashed over for the game's opening try after sustained pressure. Wood added the extras to make it 7-0. The Drua remained dangerous on the counterattack but struggled to build sustained pressure, while Wood’s kicking game continually pinned the home side back.

The Force doubled their advantage shortly before half-time through Fijian sevens Olympian Adi Vani Buleki, who showcased her pace out wide after entering the match early following an injury to Ella Pietsch.

The Drua ensured they remained within touching distance when Josivini Naihamu burst through from a lineout move to score just before the break, reducing the deficit to 14-5. Wood extended the margin with a penalty early in the second half before capitalising on a fortunate bounce from a lineout to score under the posts, converting her own try to hand the Force a commanding 24-10 lead.

That only ignited the home side. Litiana Vueti crossed out wide before fly-half Varanisese Qoro finished off a sweeping attacking movement to close the gap. The momentum had completely shifted and Aqela Raitubu powered over down the left edge, with Vueti’s conversion levelling the scores at 24-24. Moments later, Vueti produced the decisive moment, threading a clever grubber kick behind the Force defence for Qoro to gather and score her second try of the afternoon.

The Force pressed desperately in the closing stages and came within metres of stealing victory, but the Drua held firm to complete a dramatic comeback and maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign.

Fijian Drua 29 (Tries: Naihamu, Vueti, Qoro 2, Raitubu; Cons: Vueti 2)

Western Force 24 (Tries: Sikimeti, Buleki, Wood; Cons: Wood 3; Pens: Wood)

The NSW Waratahs continued their dominance of Australian rivals, extending their unbeaten record against domestic opposition with a 29-17 victory over the ACT Brumbies at Viking Park.

A dominant opening half laid the platform for the defending champions, who raced to a 26-7 lead at the break before withstanding a spirited Brumbies fightback to remain unbeaten through the opening two rounds. Wallaroos lock Kaitlan Leaney was the standout performer, crossing twice in her 25th appearance for the Waratahs as NSW once again showcased their power and efficiency through both set-piece and open play.

The visitors made a blistering start, with hooker Brittany Merlo opening the scoring from close range before Leaney powered over for her first try just minutes later. Desiree Miller converted both scores as the Waratahs surged into an early lead.

Captain Emily Chancellor added the third try after running onto a clever pass from Piper Duck, while the Brumbies finally responded midway through the half when former Queensland winger Ivania Wong finished a well-worked move out wide.

The Waratahs had the final say before the interval after Brumbies prop Martha Fua was shown a yellow card for collapsing a maul. Leaney capitalised immediately, crashing over for her second try on the stroke of half-time to give NSW a commanding 26-7 advantage. The Brumbies emerged with renewed energy after the break and reduced the deficit through hard-running flanker Lily Bone just four minutes into the second half.

NSW were unable to add another try but maintained scoreboard pressure through a late Desiree Miller penalty, while the Brumbies continued to fight until the final whistle. Spanish scrum-half Anne Fernandez de Corres crossed late for the hosts, but the damage had already been done as the Waratahs secured another important victory and reinforced their status as the competition benchmark.

NSW Waratahs 29 (Tries: Leaney 2, Merlo, Chancellor; Cons: Miller 3; Pens: Miller)

ACT Brumbies 17 (Tries: Wong, Bone, Fernandez de Corres; Cons: Moleka)