Women’s rugby: Warringah Ratettes seek revenge over Uni

PHOTO GALLERY: This Saturday Sydney’s two best women’s rugby teams - the Warringah Ratettes and Sydney University - will go head-to-head in the grand final. Warringah’s tilt at the title comes after a bruising semi-final match last weekend.

Match action pictures from the Warringah Ratettes women's rugby team semi-final tie against Campbelltown at Pittwater Rugby Park, Warriewood, on September 8th 2018. (AAP Image / Julian Andrews).

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WARRINGAH Ratettes star Crystal Maguire says her team will be seeking the “ultimate revenge” in Saturday’s Sydney women’s rugby grand final against Sydney University.

It was 11 days ago when the two clubs clashed in the men’s Shute Shield decider which University won 45-12.

PHOTO GALLERY: Warringah Ratettes vs Campbelltown

Now the Ratettes have set up another showdown with the glamour club at Woollahra Oval after defeating Campbelltown 19-5 in their semi-final at Narrabeen on Saturday.

Defending premiers Warringah head into the game as underdogs against the undefeated University juggernaut who won both their previous encounters 46-0.

Warringah Ratette Shenai Lendell lets her hair down in the semi-final against Campbellown. Picture; Julian Andrews.

That outsiders tag sits just fine with the Ratettes.

It has only put more fire into the belly of Wallaroos centre Maguire, who is plotting to prevent the students picking up the men’s and women’s titles.

She was on the hill at North Sydney Oval with the Hillbilly supporters at the Shute Shield grand final and felt the pain of that defeat.

“I was pretty disappointed,” Maguire said. “This is going to be the ultimate revenge.

“It will be very physical and it’s a matter of who wants it more.”

Ratette Sarah Laman on the attack last Saturday. Picture: Julian Andrews.

Maguire will be a key player for the Ratettes and was a standout in the win over Campbelltown.

Coach Ryan Trbojevich said the defence of the Ratettes forwards — led by No. 8 Laura Devereux and No. 7 Brittany Duff — as well as Maguire at No. 12 set up the semi-final win.

“We really muscled up against a much bigger team,” he said. “Crystal’s defence was unreal.”

Maguire has returned to the Ratettes showing the benefits of the two Tests she played against the world champion New Zealand Black Ferns in her Wallaroos debut.

“I have learnt a lot, little things as well, a lot of communication, being alert and doing my job,” she said.