NSW Waratahs Women's head coach Mike Ruthven has promoted winger Amelia Whitaker to the starting side for the 2026 Women's Super Rugby Champions Final against the Blues at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday.
Desiree Miller has been ruled out with a calf injury suffered in the team's Super Rugby Women's Grand Final victory over the Fijian Drua, opening the door for Waratahs Player of the Year Whitaker to return to the first XV.
Lusiana Vesikula joins the bench in the only other change to the side that defeated the Drua on their home turf to claim a third-straight Super Rugby Women's title last Saturday.
Lock Leilani Nathan is set to reach her 25th-appearance milestone for the Waratahs against the Super Rugby Aupiki champion Blues.
The match-up is a repeat of last year's inaugural Champions Final, which the Blues won 36-5 in Auckland.
"The players have responded really well following the Grand Final to embrace the challenge and opportunity in front of us this weekend," Ruthven said.
"Compared to last year, I feel there's a different mindset and a different vibe around the playing group approaching the Champions Final.
"Our focus this week has purely been on why and how we can win this game of footy.
"We know the challenge that the Blues present but it's a challenge that we're genuinely excited to take on."
The Women's Super Rugby Champions Final will be broadcast live and on demand on Stan Sport.
NSW Waratahs v Blues
Women’s Super Rugby Champions Final
5.30pm AEST Saturday
Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
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
- Caitlyn Halse
Replacements:
16. Nancy Volkman
17. Emily Robinson
18. Bridie O’Gorman
19. Grace Gillies
20. Nicole Nathan
21. Taj Heald
22. Piper Simons
23. Lusiana Vesikula
