Round 3 of the Buildcorp Super Rugby Women’s competition saw the Melbourne Rebels take on the NSW Waratahs at Allianz Stadium.
The Melbourne Rebels pushed the competition's favourite Waratahs to the last minute, never giving up in attack or defence.
Starved of possession in the first half, the Rebels were defending their line for the majority of the first half, with the only scoring opportunity coming from the boot of Cassie Siataga.
The second half was a different story, with the Rebels Women turning it up a gear, bringing their game to the Waratahs defence and bullying them in the set piece.
Led by back-rower and Rebels stalwart Mel Kawa, who came out of the sheds with a newfound energy, being a menace at the breakdown and always running in support.
With the momentum in the hands of the Rebels, prop Ana Mamea was the first of the Rebels tries, scoring under the posts with a powerful carry.
Shortly after, try-scoring sensation Jayme Nuku scored another from the back of a surging rolling maul and kept the Rebels in the game with her competitiveness at the breakdown.
However, the shift in tempo wasn’t enough for the Rebels women, with the Waratahs icing the game with a try in the final minutes of the game.
Tries: Mamea, Nuku
Cons: Siataga 1/1, Freeman 1/1
Pens: Siataga 1/1
Tries: Stewart 2, Friedrichs, Miller 2, Robinson
Cons: Mckenzie 4/5
