Blues hold nerve as Tahs fall achingly short of trans-Tasman glory

The NSW Waratahs have fallen agonisingly short of pulling off a stunning upset, with the Auckland Blues prevailing in the clash of the Super Rugby Champions.

The Waratahs lost their bid for trans-Tasman glory in a thrilling contest with the Blues at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday, which was finally settled 24-17 in a match where momentum swung wildly from start to finish.

Despite impressive performances against the Western Force (33-22) and the Fijian Drua (34-17) to clinch a three-peat and their seventh Super Rugby Women’s title, the Waratahs had entered the contest with the New Zealand champions the clear underdogs.

The Auckland side had also prevailed handsomely in this crossover clash’s first iteration in 2025, thumping the Waratahs 36-5 under cyclonic conditions in Auckland.

But it was the home side who drew first blood when a looping cut-out pass from Caitlyn Halse in the seventh minute found Wallaroos try machine Maya Stewart, who with a cheeky side-step posted the opening five points.

The Waratahs had the lion’s share of territory and comfortably led possession in the opening 25 minutes, but the Blues would not be denied.

After prop Chryss Viliko crashed over the line to level the scores, teenage sensation Braxton Sorensen-McGee drew gasps from the crowd when she cleaved through the Waratahs’ left flank with a chip and chase before deftly handing it to winger Katelyn Vaha’akolo to put the visitors seven in front.

The pendulum swung hard in Auckland’s favour as they approached the break and the Waratahs were rocked onto the back foot.

Among all the heavyweights, it was fly-half Waiaria Ellis who conjured two crucial turnovers under heavy pressure to deny the visitors during a heroic feat of NSW defending.

But another sprinkle of Vaha’akolo magic broke NSW’s hearts as the Blues poached a try after the half-time siren.

After 15 minutes of searching, the second half’s hammer blow came with a try from Auckland captain Maia Roos as the Super Rugby Aupiki champions put one hand on a second straight trans-Tasman title.

A chink in the Blues’ defence appeared when Danny-Elle Fesolai was sin-binned for playing the ball off her feet, a thunderous Waratahs maul delivering a try seconds later to breathe new life into the contest.

Multiple chances deep in the Blues’ half, including a clever intercept from vice-captain Kaitlan Leaney, kept the home crowd’s hearts in their mouths, but the Kiwis held their nerve as the clock wound down to claim the silverware.