Super Rugby W 2025 squads, stand outs in ‘disappointing’ Waratahs v ACT Brumbies trial

The Waratahs have worked hard on a skill all pre-season but it was an area that let them down in a Super Rugby trial where two young guns produced ‘positive energy’. Super Rugby W squads.

Amelia Whitaker, playing schoolgirl rugby in 2023, is now with the Waratahs squad. Picture Julian Andrews

The Waratahs have worked hard on a particular skill all pre-season but it was an area that let them down in an important Super Rugby trial where two young guns turned heads in the second half.

Touted as the team to beat in Super Rugby 2025, Waratahs women’s coach Mike Ruthven said he is ‘‘pretty disappointed’’ with his sides performance in a trial against the Brumbies at Campbelltown on the weekend ahead of the season opener on February 28.

“From our perspective there wasn’t too much to get excited about,” said Ruthven who did applaud young guns Amelia Whitaker and Nancy Volkman for their second half displays in the close match.

“I thought we were pretty flat and that was reflected in the scoreline.

“Pretty disappointed in our performance, we allowed the Brumbies to dictate the tempo of the game.”

Ruthven he was disappointed “with some of our effort around the contact and collision space’’ in the 22-19 win.

“I don’t think the effort was indicative of how we want to play the game,“ he said.

“We just weren’t in it. It’s important we reignite and are aware of the performance and the things that let us down.”

Jayjay Taylor, Desiree Miller, Tiarne Cavanagh and Nicole Nathan all scored tries in the win with Miller also making a conversion.

Caitlyn Halse is still a teenager but already one of the stars of the game. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

“We did see some really good individual efforts. Nancy and Amelia, who played the second half, bought good energy,’’ Ruthven said.

“They provided us with some really positive energy and looked really good.

“Faliki Pohiva and Seneti Kilisimasi at different times in the game showed their physical presence. There were some bright moments.’’

The match between the NSW Waratahs and the Fijian Drua opens the 2025 Super Rugby W season on February 28.

The Waratahs head into the season off a 100-0 win over NSW Pacifica, a 24–41 lost to the Hurricanes in New Zealand, a 36–36 draw with the Blues women on their NZ tour and now a narrow win over the Brumbies in their Australian trial at Campbelltown.

Their final hit out is against Western Force at UA sports field on February 22.

Highlights of the season ahead will include the return from injury of Piper Duck, a linchpin of the Waratahs,

Amelia Whitaker playing in a game between NSW 2 and the ACT in 2022. Picture: Julian Andrews

2025 SUPER RUGBY W SQUADS

NSW Waratahs: Adiana Talakai, Amelia Whitaker, Annabelle Codey, Arabella McKenzie, Atasi Lafai, Bridie O’Gorman, Brittany Merlo, Caitlyn Halse, Desiree Miller, Emily Chancellor, Emily Robinson, Faliki Pohiva, Georgia Chapple, Georgina Friedrichs, Jacinta Windsor, Jade Sheridan, JayJay Taylor, Kaitlan Leaney, Katrina Barker, Leilani Nathan, Martha Harvey, Maya Stewart, Millie Parker, Nicole Nathan, Piper Duck, Ruby Anderson, Seneti Kilisimasi, Siusiuoslafi Volkman, Tahlia Morgan, Tatum Bird, Tiarne Cavanagh, Waiaria Ellis. Sevens Player: Sariah Paki

ACT Brumbies: Ana Naimasi, Ashlea Bishop, Ashley Fernandez, Biola Dawa, Bonnie Brewer, Charlie Brigstocke, Chiona Enyi, Easter Savelio, Edwina Munns-Cook, Ella Hopper, Ella Ryan, Gabrielle Peterson, Faitala Moleka, Hannah Stewart, Harmony Ioane, Iroha Kishimoto, Jay Huriwai, Jess Grant, Katalina Amosa, Keia Mae Sagapolu Sanele, Kyah Little, Lily Bone, Lydia Kavoa, Manua Moleka, Martha Fua, Merania Paraone, Piper Rankmore, Sally Fuesaina, Siokapesi Palu, Tabua Tuinakauvadra, Tania Naden. Sevens Players: Bienne Terita, Demi Hayes, Tia Hinds.

Queensland Reds: Ariana Hira, Bree-Anna Browne, Briana Dascombe, Caitlin Urwin, Carola Kreis, Carys Dallinger, Charli Jacoby, Cristo Taufua, Deni Ross, Dillyn Blackburn, Eva Karpeni, Faythe Manera, Ivania Wong, Jemma Bemrose, Jiowana Sauto, Layne Morgan, Lori Cramer, Maraea Tupai, Melanie Wilks, Michelle Curry, Natalie Wright, Piper Flynn, Renae Nona, Sarah Riordan, Sarah Dougherty, Shalom Sauaso, Sky-Yvette Faimalie, Tiarah Minns, Tiarna Molloy, Vineta Teutau, Zoe Hanna, Zophronia Setu. Sevens Players: Charlotte Caslick, Isabella Nasser, Kahli Henwood, Maddison Levi, Teagan Levi

Emily Robinson enjoying the moment after the Super Rugby win last year. Picture: Mackenzie Sweetnam/Getty Images.

Western Force: Allana Sikimeti, Adi Vani Buleki, Alapeta Ngauamo, Anneka Stephens, Ashley Marsters, Braxton Walker, Brooklyn Teki-Joyce, Cecilia Smith, Georgia Cormick, Grace Freeman, Hailey Derera, Hannah Palelei, Haylee Hifo, Hera Barb Malcolm Heke, Libya Teepa, Loretta Mailangi, Megumi Takagi, Michaela Leonard, Mio Yamanaka, Nami Dickson, Ngamihi Monk, Nicole Ledington, Pia Tapsell, Rosie Ebbage, Samantha Trehearne, Samantha Wood, Sera Naiqama, Sheree Hume, Tamika Jones, Taylor Waterson, Trilleen Pomare, Zoe Elliot.

Fijian Drua: Alfreda Fisher, Aloesi Nakoci, Anasimeci Korovata, Asinate Serevi, Bitila Tawake, Carletta Yee, Ema Adivitaloga, Evivi Senikarivi, Isabella Koi, Imeri Nai, Josifini Neihamu, Karalaini Naisewa, Keleni Marawa, Kolora Lomani, Loraini Senivutu, Luisa Tisolo, Mereoni Nakesa, Merevesi Fuga Ofakimalino, Merewairita Naivosa, Noelani Baselala, Nunia Daunimoala, Reijeli Daveua, Repeka Tove, Rusila Nagasau, Salanieta Kinita, Salanieta Nabuli, Setaita Railumu, Tiana Robanakadavu, Vika Matarugu, Vitalina Naikore.

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Originally published as Super Rugby W 2025 squads, stand outs in ‘disappointing’ Waratahs v ACT Brumbies trial