Claudia Nielsen's first try in Super W wasn't enough to get her RugbyWA women's side over the line as the Brumbies snatched the remaining finals berth.
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The 17-12 final round win saw the ACT-side finish third and set up a showdown with Queensland next week for the chance to face the Waratahs in the grand final.
Knowing that whoever won would progress through to the play-offs, the Perth side started strongly, a charge down setting up an early opportunity for Taylor Waterson, but she fell just short of the line.
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But 30 seconds later Nielsen collected a slick outside pass to score in the right hand corner and give the home side the early advantage.
The former Tamworth native and hockey star, started on the wing in all four of RugbyWA's games after being plucked from relative obscurity.
Before this year she had only played a bit of club sevens at the end of last season.
The Brumbies kicked out to a 12-point lead at half-time, before Brooke Mason gave the home side late hope scoring with three minutes remaining.
But the Brumbies were able to hold on.
