Wallaroos star ruled out as Waratahs name team for Champions Final

Wallaroos winger Desiree Miller has been ruled out of the NSW Waratahs’ Super Rugby Champions Final against the Blues, seeing Amelia Whitaker brought in to the run-on side for the clash with the Super Rugby Aupiki winners in Sydney. 

Miller will not play in the Champions Final on Saturday evening, having picked up a calf injury in the Super Rugby Women’s Grand Final triumph over the Fijian Drua in Ba. That result secured another three-peat for the Tahs, and their seventh title in less than 10 years. 

But Whitaker now gets a chance to feature in a star-studded First XV, joining the Wallaroos duo of Maya Stewart and Caitlyn Halse in the outside backs. Stewart will wear the No. 14 jumper, while Halse lines up at fullback. 

Coach Mike Ruthven has made just one other change to the matchday 23 that got the better of the Drua last weekend, with Lusiana Vesikula joining the bench, which is the result of Whitaker coming into the starting side. 

Faliki Pohiva has been retained at loosehead prop after a Player of the Final performance against the Drua, joining Brianna Hoy and Brittany Merlo up front. Leliani Nathan and vice-captain Kaitlan Leaney round out the tight five. 

Ruby Anderson adn captain Emily Chancellor will again pack down as the two flankers, while No. 8 Piper Duck rounds the starting pack. Wallaroos front-rower Bridie O’Gorman is among those looking to make an impact off the bench. 

In the backs, Australia Sevens star Tia Hinds will continue to link up with Waiaria Ellis in the halves. Those two will have Rosie Ferguson and Pieuni Kievit outside them, who make up the midfield pairing once again. 

“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.” 

This match will be played at Sydney’s Leichhardt Oval at 5:30 pm AEST on Saturday evening. 

NSW Waratahs side for the 2026 Super Rugby Champions Final

1. Brianna Hoy

2. Brittany Merlo

3. Faliki Pohiva

4. Leilani Nathan

5. Kaitlan Leaney (vc)

6. Ruby Anderson

7. Emily Chancellor (c)

8. Piper Duck

9. Tia Hinds

10. Waiaria Ellis

11. Amelia Whitaker

12. Rosie Ferguson

13. Pleuni Kievit

14. Maya Stewart

15. 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