Round 3 of Super Rugby Women is in the books, with Fijiana Drua taking the top spot. The Drua leapfrog the Waratahs, with the Sydney side watching on with a bye.
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The Fijian Drua continued their strong start to the campaign, overcoming a determined ACT Brumbies outfit in a high-scoring encounter. The Drua once again showcased their trademark attacking flair, pulling away late after the Brumbies had fought back to level the scores before half-time.
Meanwhile, the Western Force produced one of the moments of the season, snatching a dramatic maiden victory with a try after the siren to stun the Queensland Reds in Perth. After letting a commanding lead slip against the Drua a week earlier, the Force showed impressive resilience to hold the Reds scoreless in the second half before debutant Ai Dickson crossed in the dying moments to seal an unforgettable comeback victory.
RECAP: 2026 SUPER RUGBY WOMEN – ROUND 3
FIJIANA DRUA WOMEN 42-25 ACT BRUMBIES WOMEN
The Fijiana Drua overcame a determined ACT Brumbies outfit with a late flourish to record a 42-25 victory in an entertaining contest at Four R Stadium.
The home side made the perfect start when Repeka Tove chased down Varanisese Qoro’s clever chip kick to score inside two minutes, before Josivini Naihamu and Sulita Waisega added further tries as the Drua raced to a 15-5 advantage.
The Brumbies refused to go away. Ash Bishop crossed after capitalising on a Drua error before grabbing her second following slick backline movement, keeping the visitors within striking distance.
Merewairita Neivosa restored the Drua’s buffer, but Bonnie Brewer responded with a powerful solo effort before Naihamu’s late yellow card opened the door for the Brumbies. They took full advantage as Bishop completed a superb first-half hat-trick to send the teams into the sheds locked at 20-20.
The visitors began the second half positively but couldn’t capitalise, with Ella Ryan narrowly missing a penalty attempt before Salaseini Railumu edged the Drua back in front.
Karalaini Naisewa extended the lead after sustained pressure before the Brumbies struck back through hooker Tania Naden while the hosts were reduced to 14 players following Keri Lawavou’s yellow card.
Trailing by just five points entering the closing stages, the Brumbies threatened to steal the result before the Drua produced one final surge. Tove grabbed her second try in the 73rd minute before Naihamu intercepted a pass in the dying moments to race away and seal the bonus-point victory.
Fijian Drua 42 (Tries: Tove 2, Naihamu 2, Waisega, Neivosa, Railumu, Naisewa; Cons: Qoro 1, Vueti 1)
ACT Brumbies 25 (Tries: Bishop 3, Brewer, Naden; Cons: Moleka)
WESTERN FORCE WOMEN 21-17 QUEENSLAND REDS WOMEN
The Western Force claimed their first victory of the Super Rugby Women’s season after debutant Ai Dickson scored with the final play to snatch a thrilling 21-17 win over the Queensland Reds in Perth.
The Force started brightly and opened the scoring through experienced front-rower Hera-Barb Malcolm Heke after a well-executed rolling maul.
Queensland responded almost immediately, with hooker Zophronia Setu crossing from a lineout before winger Aroha Spillane finished out wide to hand the visitors the lead.
The Reds continued to build momentum approaching half-time as No.8 Tiarna Molloy crashed over from close range, giving the visitors a deserved 17-7 advantage at the break.
The second half developed into a tense arm wrestle, with the Force struggling for continuity despite enjoying plenty of territory. Their task became even harder when co-captain Trilleen Pomare was shown a yellow card for a lifting tackle.
However, the hosts refused to fold. Lock Michaela Leonard powered over with ten minutes remaining before Sammy Wood’s conversion reduced the deficit to just three points.
The Force dominated the closing stages and finally found the breakthrough after the siren. Working the ball wide, debutant Dickson dived over in the corner to complete a stunning comeback, with Wood holding her nerve to land the match-winning conversion.
Western Force 21 (Tries: Malcolm Heke, Leonard, Dickson; Cons: Wood 3)
Queensland Reds 17 (Tries: Setu, Spillane, Molloy; Cons: Cramer)
Image Credit: Flashscore
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