The Super W final was originally scheduled to be played in Sydney after AAMI Park rejected Rugby Australia’s request to have it played as part of Super Round, citing concerns over the pitch.

But at the end of March the Melbourne and Olympic Parks authority changed their minds, with Rugby Australia notifying the Super Rugby clubs of the move on March 30. The move was made public on April 11.

The Waratahs men posted a team video on social media, wishing the women well, but Doorn said flights were not only expensive but also hard to find, by the time the game was moved.

“It wasn’t as simple as just staying for an extra day, unfortunately,” he said. “I would also point to the post the boys made for the girls on social media as indicative of the support the players are giving all the girls and wishing them the best.”

NSW women’s captain Grace Hamilton said the team felt the support of the men’s side throughout the season.

“I don’t think they had much control over [flying back], but they’ve been really good getting around us this week,” she said. “DC [coach Darren Coleman] sent me a message this week, Hoops, Will Harrison and all the boys sent us text messages this morning, saying ‘we truly believe in you girls’ and I think they would be here if they could be here.”

The Fijian Drua men’s side played the Blues in the game following the final, and did not watch the game from the stands. Hamilton said she and her teammates watched the men’s game against the Chiefs from the team’s hotel.

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Meanwhile, the NSW men face a nervous wait on the fate of prop Angus Bell, who was shown a red card for an illegal tackle on Chiefs No.7 Sam Cane.

Bell will be automatically referred to Super Rugby’s citing commissioner and could face a lengthy ban, given he has two yellow cards in his recent history (for the Wallabies against England last year and against the Reds in 2020).

Losing the Wallabies loosehead prop would be a blow ahead of their first run of games against New Zealand sides.

The Waratahs host the Crusaders at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday, then play Moana Pasifika in Auckland, the Hurricanes at home, the Highlanders away and the Blues at home.

”We always knew this half of the comp is going to be hard game after hard game,” Coleman said after Friday’s game. “If we get a good home crowd it’ll be good. I am really hoping our fans are respecting what we’re doing, from game one at Leichhardt we had a good jump in the crowd and I am hoping they’re knowing every week we will deliver a passionate and committed performance.

“I don’t have a magic solution just yet, I guess Aussie coaches have been trying to figure out that last 20 minutes against the Kiwis for years.

“I think if we can be aware of it, be mentally stronger and get more out of our bench and have them clued into add an impact, we will see how the game goes. But I am already excited.”

Elsewhere, the Blues beat the Drua 35-18 and the Hurricanes thumped the Reds 30-17 to make it two losses from two encounters between Australian and New Zealand sides.

The Reds led 17-7 for much of the first half thanks to tries to Hamish Stewart and Fraser McReight. But a yellow card to No.6 Connor Vest for a high tackle on back-rower Ardie Savea gave the Hurricanes a sniff.

Tyrel Lomax charged over in the 41st minute to make it 17-14 at the break, and Queensland folded in on themselves in the second half, with an error-strewn performance that also saw coach Brad Thorn hook stars Taniela Tupou and Tate McDermott early.

The Hurricanes scored a further 16 points without protest from the Reds to the delight of a Kiwi-dominated crowd.