The Queensland Reds have suffered a 46-nil loss to the NSW Waratahs in the final regular season round of Buildcorp Super W at Sydney’s Eric Tweedale Oval.
The Waratahs outscored the visitors eight-tries-to-nil, with both Natalie Delamere and Margot Vella both crossing for doubles.
Despite the loss, Queensland will progress through to the Super W qualifying final, where they will face NSW once again on Thursday evening in Sydney.
NSW opened the scoring in the fifth minute through outside centre Georgie Friedrichs, before Delamere scored her first of the afternoon in the 16th minute, getting out to an early 10-nil lead.
Women’s Rugby veteran Iliseva Batibasaga was next to score, before Delamere crossed for her second in the 35th minute. Arabella McKenzie slotted the conversion extending the score to 22-nil.
A series of penalties saw Queensland deep within their own half before the half-time break, and a pick-and-drive effort from Sera Naiqama saw her extend the Waratahs lead to 27-nil at half-time.
Piper Duck opened the scoring in the second half, splitting the Queensland defence open in the 48th minute to score to the right of the posts, Mckenzie slotted the conversion, taking the score to 34-nil.
Winger Vella crossed for her brace in the final stages of the match, extending the home-sides lead to 46-nil.
Queensland will return to Sydney on Thursday evening to face NSW once again in the qualifying final, with the winner set to face the Fijiana Drua in the Super W Grand Final.
Reds nil defeated by NSW 46 (Delamere 2, Vella 2, Friedrichs, Batibasaga, Duck, Naiqama tries; McKenzie 2, Piliae conv)
