Fijiana Drua have capped off their first Super W season by winning a pulsating final against defending champions NSW Waratahs 32-26 in Melbourne.
The Waratahs led 26-22 in the 69th minute, but an outstanding try to fullback Timaima Ravisa down the right flank pushed Fijiana Drua back into the lead after they were earlier up 17-12 at half-time.
They iced their victory with a late try to player of the match Vitalina Naikore — her third of the afternoon — ending the Waratahs' hopes of winning a fifth straight championship.
The Drua scored six tries to four but kicked only one conversion.
Hooker Natalie Delamere scored a hat-trick for the Waratahs.
"It is more than just a game to these girls. It's years of hard work, sacrifice," Drua lock Jade Coates said.
"It's created a pathway for girls and women playing rugby … we played for past players, present, future players and our supporters.
"This is the start of something and we'll only go up from here."
The Waratahs were also beaten 29-10 by Fijiana Drua earlier this month.
Naikore scored the first try of the match after a tight 20 minutes and it opened the floodgates at both ends. Delamere scored her three tries in 19 minutes either side of half-time.
Delamere's third in the 43rd minute, which was converted by Lori Cramer, gave the Waratahs a 19-17 lead.
Fijiana Drua went back in front when Naikore crossed for her second try, but the lead swapped hands again when Waratahs forward Eva Karpani scored in the 61st minute.
Ravisa's long-range try, featuring a neat sliding stop to avoid her opposite number, gave the Drua a one-point lead.
Naikore then ran away to score after more great build-up play before some last-minute scrambling defence sparked joyous singing in the stands and then on the field after the full-time whistle.
"This is hard … it hurts a lot but I'm so proud of our girls and how they dug deep into those last minutes, we were still in the game," Waratahs captain Grace Hamilton said.
"It's so nice to see so much support around the game and Fijiana were unreal today and finished that game in true style.
"To be here playing rugby in Australia, I promise we'll get better every single year and be back better and stronger."
ABC/AAP
