Piper Duck's frustrating run of injuries has continued with the former Wallaroos captain to miss Saturday's Super W grand final.
Duck and left flanker Leilani Nathan, who both suffered setbacks in Sunday's semi-final win over the Western Force, are enforced omissions for the clash with Queensland Reds at North Sydney Oval.
Duck, who had been battling ongoing AC joint issues, has a partial shoulder dislocation.
Nathan is nursing a severe knee injury, having damaged her ACL, PCL, MCL and meniscus ahead of the World Cup that begins in August.
"It's hugely disappointing for both of them. Not just because they miss out on the grand final, but also due to the nature of their injuries," NSW coach Mike Ruthven said.
"They've been enormous contributors this season, and we're certainly thinking of them at the moment."
The Reds have also been forced to make multiple changes with co-captain Jemma Bemrose (ankle) and Sarah Riordan (knee) to sit out the season finale.
Rugby Australia's board installed then 22-year-old Duck as Wallaroos captain in 2023, making her the youngest ever to receive the honour.
But she missed the entire 2023 season because of a foot injury.
The No.8 returned in 2024, leading the Waratahs to a 50-14 thumping of Fijian Drua in the grand final, but was sidelined by a syndesmosis injury later in the year.
Emily Chancellor will serve as stand-in skipper for the Tahs, who are are gunning to make it six Super W crowns from eight seasons.
"Chancellor's a great leader in her own right," Ruthven said.
"It's as seamless a transition in captaincy as you could find."
NSW have promoted Nicole Nathan and Ruby Anderson to their starting side, while fullback Caitlyn Halse has also been elevated after returning from injury in last week's semi.
Zoe Hanna and Maraea Tupai have been called into Queensland's starting back row.
"The commentators keep saying the Waratahs have never been beaten by another Australian team," Reds hooker Tiarna Molloy said.
"That definitely puts extra fire in the belly but all minds are focused on what we need to do as a team to get the job done."
