Why Waratahs 'trust each other' to deliver in grand final against Drua

NSW Waratahs captain Emily Chancellor distinguishes between confidence and arrogance as her team prepares to face Fijian Drua in the Super Rugby Women's Grand Final. She noted the team's pride in their 33-22 semifinal victory over the Western Force, emphasizing a sense of clarity and execution rather than overconfidence.

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We got out on the field in that semifinal and there was just this air of clarity around the group. It wasn't arrogance. It was just this feeling of we know what to do and we know how to do it, so let's just go out and execute.

"We got out on the field in that semifinal and there was just this air of clarity around the group," Chancellor told ABC Sport. "It wasn't arrogance. It was just this feeling of we know what to do and we know how to do it, so let's just go out and execute."

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We know we've got firepower out wide. We know we've got electric backs. We've got a really strong, physical forward pack that has been quite consistent across the last few years.

The Waratahs delivered a dominant first half in their semifinal, scoring four tries to lead 26-0 before the Force mounted a partial comeback. Chancellor praised the team's "firepower out wide" and "electric backs," complemented by a "really strong, physical forward pack." She believes the forwards' direct play sets up the backs to perform at their best.

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They (Hinds and Ellis) backed themselves. Tia, being an incredible reader of space, took her own opportunities, and Baba (Ellis) did a really good job of being calm and collected.

Despite entering the playoffs in third place and having lost their final two regular-season matches, including a historic defeat to the Force, the Waratahs have a strong track record in sudden-death games. They have reached six out of seven Grand Finals contested in the competition. A key factor in their semifinal success was the untried halves pairing of Tia Hinds and Waiaria Ellis, a move Chancellor described as a masterstroke. Hinds scored two tries, while Ellis, an 18-year-old Wallaroos sensation, provided calm direction from fly half.

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She had a really sound knowledge of our game plan and was just able to deliver and execute what she saw in front of her.