The Super Rugby Women's semi-finals are here, with the four best teams fighting for a spot in next week's decider.
The action begins in Fiji with the Drua hunting for a maiden home Grand Final as they host the Queensland Reds.
Watch every second of the 2026 Super Rugby Women's season live and on demand via Stan Sport.
Following this, the Western Force will be out to end the NSW Waratahs' title defence at HBF Park.
Rugby.com.au previews the semi finals of Super Rugby Women's, presented by Bet365.
DRUA (1-15): Karalaini Naisewa, Keleni Marawa, Tiana Robanakadavu, Mereoni Nakesa, Carletta Yee, Nunia Daunimoala, Salaseini Railumu, Sulita Waisega, Kolora Lomani (c), Varanisese Qoro, Aqela Raitubu, Josivini Naihamu, Merewairita Neivosa, Atelaite Buna, Litiana Vueti
Replacements: Bitila Tawake, Zipporah Sorokacika, Keri Lawavou, Karavaki Lutumaibau, Alfreda Fisher, Evivi Senikarivi, Ivamere Rokowati, Verenaisi Ditavutu
- Litiana Vueti starts at fullback, with Ivamere Rokowati added to the bench in the only change for the Drua
REDS (1-15): Hayley Glass, Zophronia Setu, Eva Karpani, Lucy Thorpe, Jemma Bemrose (c), Zoe Hanna, Dillyn Blackburn, Tiarna Molloy, Sarah Dougherty, Lori Cramer, Piper Flynn, Ava Wereta, Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea, Charlie Brigstocke, Harmony Vatau
Replacements: Mary Tuaana, Jordan Neal, Tanya Kalounivale, Vineta Teutau, Sarah Riordan, Evie Sampson, Charity Wightman-Beaven, Briana Dascombe
- Mary Tuuana returns to the fold, replacing Ella Hopper on the bench.
- The Queensland Reds and Fijian Drua are split at three-all in their last six encounters.
- The Drua have won eight of their last ten games at home, although one of those losses came against the Reds.
- The Drua have scored 150 points this season, over half as more as the Reds (72), however, they have conceded more points (108) than the Queenslanders (105) despite their positions on the ladder.
Karalaini Naisewa v Eva Karpani
The front row was the main weapon behind the Reds’ success against the Waratahs and they need Karpani to lead from the front once again on the weekend.
Karpani is a big game player and has been crucial towards the back end of the season.
She faces a massive task in the form of Naisewa, who has anchored a powerful Drua set piece.
Drua by 9
FORCE (1-15): Allana Sikimeti, Hera Barb Malcom 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, Adi Vani Buleki, Nicole Ledington
Replacements: Jiowana Sauto, Keira MacAskill, Hannah Palelei, Yuna Sato, Taylor Waterson, Ai Dickson, Brooklyn Teki-Joyce, Hailey Derera
- Zoe Elliott makes her starting debut at prop, with Alapeta Ngaumao suspended.
- It’s a similar story for Atawhai Hotene, named at inside centre, with Cecilia Smith facing at least another week out due to suspension.
- Aiysha Wigley returns from injury on the wing.
WARATAHS (1-15): Brianna Hoy, Brittany Merlo, Faliki Pohiva, Leilani Nathan, Kaitlan Leaney, Ruby Anderson, Emily Chancellor (c), Piper Duck, Tia Hinds, Waiaria Ellis, Amelia Whitaker, Rosie Ferguson, Pleuni Kievit, Maya Stewart, Desiree Miller
Replacements: Nancy Volkman, Emily Robinson, Bridie O'Gorman, Grace Gillies, Nicole Nathan, Edie Burke, Lusiana Vesikula, Caitlyn Halse
- Tia Hinds (calf) makes her Waratahs debut, named in the halves alongside Waiaria Ellis.
- Maya Stewart has also been cleared from an ankle issue and is selected on the wing for the first time in 2026.
- Caitlyn Halse will line up on the bench following her late withdrawal a month ago.
- The Western Force became the first Australian team to defeat the NSW Waratahs in their last match, ending the Waratahs’ 37-game winning streak against Aussie sides.
- The Waratahs have lost just one semi-final game (20-17 v Drua, 2023), while the Force have never won a semi-final.
- The Force are unbeaten in their last four home games, with the Waratahs have won seven of their last eight away games.
Grace Freeman v Waiaria Ellis
Freeman can make a serious case for a Wallaroos call-up with a strong performance against the Waratahs.
The flyhalf has been superb since her return from injury and needs to take the Waratahs out of the contest if they are to break through for their maiden Grand Final berth.
For Ellis, the shift to flyhalf puts the dangerous stepper in prime position to open the game up, needing to strike a balance between running the ball and unleashing their star outside backs.
Waratahs by 2
