The ACT Brumbies finished their preseason with stars on show in an encouraging second half against the NSW Waratahs, with the visitors claiming a 42–18 victory at GIO Stadium.
The cross‑border rivals met in their final hit‑out before the 2026 Super W season.
Players on both sides were eager to impress, with the defending 2025 champions arriving in Canberra full of confidence, while the Brumbies showcased a refreshed squad ready to contest every moment.
The opening 10 minutes featured a dominant Brumbies scrum, earning an early penalty, followed by a classy strip and bump‑off from captain Siokapesi Palu Sekona. But it was the visitors who struck first, grinding through the defensive line with Bridie O’Gorman inching over for the opener.
Momentum stayed in Brumbies territory, and slick hands from the visiting outfit down the blindside sent winger Desiree Miller over in the corner. Miller converted her own try, giving the Waratahs a 0–14 lead after 15 minutes.
Brumbies fly‑half Ella Ryan sparked the home crowd soon after, selling a dummy and slicing through for a 30‑metre break, only for a forward pass to deny a try‑scoring opportunity.
Success continued to flow for the Waratahs, who swung the ball wide to the right for captain Emily Chancellor to cross for the Waratahs’ third of the day.
Ryan kept her composure, breaking the line again as pressure mounted on the visitors.
A string of penalties inside the Waratahs 22 allowed fullback Faitala Moleka to slot the Brumbies’ first points of the afternoon. Discipline issues then caught up with NSW, with Grace Gillies sent to the bin in the 36th minute after repeated infringements. The sides went to the sheds with the Waratahs leading 21–3.
The Brumbies carried their momentum into the second half. Lily Bone burst through the line, driving the home side 10 metres out before the ball was swept left for Ivania Wong to crash over in the corner. The difficult conversion drifted wide, closing the gap to 8–21.
The Waratahs responded with composed phase play, working their way downfield before replacement Taj Heald forced her way over to take the lead out to 20 points over the homeside. Soon after, the NSW outfit was back on the attack, crossing on the right edge to extend the lead to 35–8.
The Brumbies refused to fade. Merenia Paraone, continuing her strong preseason, sliced through the middle to create another attacking opportunity. Quick ball to the right edge caught the Waratahs off guard, allowing Palu Sekona to squeeze over in the corner.
End‑to‑end rugby followed, and the Waratahs struck again through Amelia Whitaker, who came off her wing to score through the middle for another converted try.
The pendulum swung once more as Wong crossed for her second of the match, finishing with a powerful one‑on‑one fend into the corner post. The unconverted try capped a thrilling second half, with the final score settling at 42–18 in favour of the Waratahs.
The Brumbies will look to carry their growing confidence into Round 1 of the Swyftx Super Rugby Women’s season when they face the Queensland Reds at Ballymore Stadium next Sunday at 1:05pm.
