Super Rugby Women's is ramping up as Round Four of the competition throws up two critical games.
It starts in Queensland as the Reds enter a must-win game against the top-of-the-table FIjiana Drua at Ballymore.
Watch every second of the 2026 Super Rugby Women's season live and on demand via Stan Sport.
Following this, the defending champion NSW Waratahs contend with a red-hot Western Force outfit out for their first-ever win over the side.
Rugby.com.au previews Round Four of Super Rugby Women's, presented by Bet365.
REDS (1-15): Jordan Neal, Zophronia Setu, Eva Karpani, Lucy Thorpe, Vineta Teutau, Jemma Bemrose (c), Zoe Hanna, Tiarna Molloy, Sarah Dougherty, Akira Kelly, Piper Flynn, Ava Wereta, Briana Dascombe, Aroha Spillane, Harmony Vatau
Replacements: Mary Tuaana, Hayley Glass, Tanya Kalounivale, Dillyn Blackburn, Sarah Riordan, Evie Sampson, Charity Wightman-Beaven, Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea
- Akira Kelly starts at flyhalf, pushing Harmony Vatau to fullback.
- Eva Karpani and Jordan Neal both return to the starting front-row.
- Alysia Lefua-Fakaosilea comes onto the bench, returning to the 15-a-side program.
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, Michella’e Stolz
Replacements: Bitila Tawake, Zipporah Sorokacika, Keri Lawavou, Karavaki Lutumaibau, Alfreda Fisher, Evivi Senikarivi, Verenaisi Ditavutu, Litiana Vueti
- Aqela Raitubu returns to the side via the wing.
- Michaella’e Stolz shifts from the reserves to fullback, swapping with Litiana Vueti.
- The Queensland Reds have won their last two games against the Fijian Drua, having lost three out of the four prior.
- The Reds have been held under 25 points in every game in 2026, whilst the Drua haven’t been held under that mark in their last five.
- The Drua have lost their last three away from Fiji.
Varanisese Qoro v Akira Kelly
Qoro has been in red-hot form in 2026, proving the key link within their dangerous attack.
She goes head-to-head young half Kelly, returning after a week out of the line-up.
Kelly needs to find a way to unlock a Reds attack that has been stifled in 2026, coming off a big season in Rugby League last year.
Drua by 8
FORCE (1-15): Allana Sikimeti, Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke, Alapeta Ngauamo, Sera Naiqama, Michaela Leonard, Pia Tapsell, Nami Dickson, Seina Saito, Samantha Wood (co-c), Grace Freeman, Brooklyn Teki-Joyce, Trilleen Pomare (co-c), Cecilia Smith, Adi Vani Buleki, Ngamihi Monk
Replacements: Jiowana Sauto, Hannah Palelei, Zoe Elliot, Yuna Sato, Taylor Waterson, Ai Dickson, Atawhai Hotene, Teiana Mainwaring
- Grace Freeman replaces the injured Nicole Ledington in the halves.
- Sera Naiqama and Nami Dickson come into the starting pack after strong showings in previous weeks.
- Jiowana Sauto is one of three potential debutants named on the bench.
WARATAHS (1-15): Brianna Hoy, Brittany Merlo, Faliki Pohiva, Leilani Nathan, Kaitlan Leaney (c), Piper Duck, Taj Heald, Nicole Nathan, Piper Simons, Pleuni Klevit, Desiree Miller, Rosie Ferguson, Georgina Friedrichs, Amelia Whitaker, Waiaria Ellis
Replacements: Nancy Volkman, Emily Robinson, Bridie O'Gorman, Grace Gillies, Ruby Anderson, Martha Harvey, Lusiana Vesikula, Edie Burke
- Waiaria Ellis makes her first appearance of the season at fullback after overcoming a knee injury.
- Faliki Pohiva starts in the front-row, swapping with Bridie O’Gorman.
- Kaitlan Leaney skippers the team with Emily Chancellor on Barbarians duty, with Taj Heald starting in the back-row.
- The NSW Waratahs have never lost to the Western Force in Super Rugby W.
- The Force have won back-to-back games at home, including a 21-17 win over the Reds last week.
- The Waratahs have scored over 20 points in their last five games in Super Rugby W.
Waiaria Ellis v Ngamihi Monk
The return of Ellis is a huge boost for a Waratahs team already flying in 2026.
With Caitlyn Halse and Maya Stewart still out, the hot-stepping youngster will be relied on to spark their attacks and create something out of nothing.
It’s a similar story for Monk, who faces the step up after largely featuring in the midfield.
Waratahs by 9
