IT'S one thing to play in the highest domestic level of your sport but it's another to experience victory in front of your home crowd.
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Panuara native and NSW Waratahs number 8 Grace Hamilton played a pivotal role for her side in their 66-12 Super W win over the Melbourne Rebels at Ashwood Park on Sunday.
While Hamilton didn't get herself on the scoreboard she helped set up multiple Waratahs tries in the win which gives her undefeated team grand final hosting rights.
A huge run through the middle of the park in the fifth minute from the Waratahs vice-captain helped lay the platform for Evelyn Horomia's try just several phases later, taking the hosts to an early 12-0 lead.
Hamilton made several impressive bursts through the middle of the park during a wet second half of rugby and was rock solid in defence to keep Rebels scoreless after the break.
Waratahs and Rebels both found the going tough in the slippery conditions but the hosts' discipline showed in a 26-0 half.
"The wet weather got to us a little bit but we were able to execute in the end," she said.
"I'm so proud of our girls and we really had to come together because the Rebels have been improving with every single game and we saw that today.
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"We stayed to our structure and that helped us get the job done."
Waratahs are defending champions in Super W and haven't lost a game in the competition's two-year history.
Hamilton believes it was through another superb all-round effort that the Waratahs earned their home grand final.
"Katrina Barker was great today stepping in at the nine. Arabella McKenzie is only young, this is her second season I believe in 15s, and she was great coming into the team today," she said.
"Our front row bench was also great. It's a really young group. We have Isera [Volkman] there who has only just turned 18 and she was making her debut for the Waratahs in just her second year of rugby which is amazing."
With the win Waratahs have earned the week off before the final on April 6.