After six weeks of battle, the stage is set for a blockbuster final clash as the two-time defending champions, Fijian Drua go to battle with the NSW Waratahs in the Super W final.
The final promises a captivating blend of redemption and revenge.
The Drua took the Super W competition by storm when they won their inaugural title in their first year of competition and followed it up with their second title in as many years last year.
Today’s expected thriller in Brisbane will be a big battle as the Waratahs will be hungry for revenge and the Drua aiming to etch their name in Super W history with a record three-peat.
As I say that, I think the Fijian Drua enter the final with a question mark over their recent form. While their victories in the past two finals displayed their talent under former coaches Senirusi Seruvakula and Inoke Male, new coach Mosese Rauluni perhaps has his work cut out ahead of the final.
The Drua’s semifinal win against the Western Force last week showed that it took a lot of hard work to get past in the end 25-14 being 10-11 down at halftime. The Drua found the wind to their sail from a passionate sellout crowd to deny a determined Force outfit.
This raises concerns about the Drua’s consistency this season. Mind you, they were riding the same wave last year but rose to win the Super W.
The opposition, Waratahs march into the final with a swagger after their ruthless dismantling of the ACT Brumbies 47-27 last week in a clinical performance that weighed heavy when compared to the Drua’s run on home soil.
Moji’s team shouldn’t be taken lightly or underestimated in the final.
The Drua women’s fighting spirit and incredible record in the last two finals are proof to their mental resilience.
Last year, in an exciting final, they defied the odds to snatch victory from the Waratahs 32-26.
The player to watch for the Drua possesses a potent attacking threat in fullback, Atelaite Buna, nicknamed ‘Bullet’. She scored a hat trick in the semifinal last week and she has been slicing through defences with her blistering pace.
Buna’s electrifying pace and finishing prowess can single-handedly shift the momentum of the game.
The return of former captain Bitila Tawake in the front row will also boost their experience and leadership qualities for the title defence.
The Waratahs, on the other hand, head into the clash brimming with confidence. Their emphatic victory over the Drua in round-robin play in Lautoka, a smashing 62-21 scoreline shows that they might have a significant psychological advantage.
That hiding serves as a stark reminder of the Waratahs potential and perhaps also reveals that they might be a step ahead.
Additionally, the Waratahs will be looking to settle a score after winning all four titles and then getting kicked out in the semis in 2022 and in the final last year by the Drua.
Revenge will undoubtedly be a powerful motivator for a well-drilled Waratahs outfit.
Despite the Waratahs recent dominance, the final promises to be a thrilling affair.
The neutral venue in Brisbane eliminates the home advantage but the Drua has shown in the past two finals that they have what it takes to win on Aussie soil.
Ultimately, the Super W final will hinge on which team executes their game plan more effectively.
A Drua win will mark a historic achievement. The Waratahs will be out to reclaim lost glory. Both teams have compelling narratives and the clash promises to be a spectacle that rugby fans will not want to miss.
This clash should keep rugby fans on the edge of their seats. Brisbane is set to witness a battle of the ages.
Will history repeat itself or will there be a new champion crowned? The passionate Fijian support in Brisbane will play a huge part. And for many like me, who will be in front of their TV set on Sunday cheering the Drua on hopefully to their third Super W crown.
Enjoy a great weekend filled with tonnes of sport!
