Samoa women's national rugby union team


The Samoa women's national rugby union team is a national sporting side of Samoa, representing the nation at rugby union. The side first played in 2000, and have competed in three Rugby World Cup's since their debut in the 2002 tournament in Spain. In 2023, they claimed their first Oceania Championship.

Samoa
Shirt badge/Association crest
NicknameManusina Samoa
UnionRugby Samoa
Head coachRamsey Tomokino
CaptainSui Pauaraisa
First colours
World Rugby ranking
Current15 (as of 28 October 2024)
Highest13 (2003)
Lowest18
First international
 Samoa 10–12 Japan 
(Apia, Samoa; 15 July 2000)
Biggest win
 Samoa 91–0 Papua New Guinea 
(Pukekohe, New Zealand; 13 July 2022)
Biggest defeat
 Samoa 0–87 Australia 
(Apia, Samoa; 8 August 2009)
World Cup
Appearances3 (First in 2002)
Best result9th
Top 20 rankings as of 25 November 2024[1]
Rank Change* Team Points
1 Steady  England 97.56
2 Steady  Canada 89.31
3 Steady  New Zealand 88.64
4 Steady  France 85.11
5 Steady  Australia 78.10
6 Steady  Ireland 78.03
7 Steady  Scotland 76.82
8 Steady  Italy 74.75
9 Steady  United States 74.20
10 Steady  Wales 72.58
11 Steady  Japan 66.41
12 Steady  South Africa 66.18
13 Steady  Spain 65.42
14 Steady  Russia 61.10
15 Steady  Samoa 60.56
16 Steady  Netherlands 60.20
17 Steady  Fiji 59.14
18 Steady  Hong Kong 56.20
19 Steady  Kazakhstan 55.23
20 Steady  Sweden 52.72
*Change from the previous week
Samoa at the 2014 Women's Rugby World Cup

History

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Samoa has attended three Rugby World Cup's, namely the 2002, 2006 and 2014 Rugby World Cups.[2]

Samoa won the 2019 Asia Pacific Championship in Fiji.[3] In 2021, they were scheduled to play two test matches against Australia in July but the matches were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[4][5][6]

Samoa and Hong Kong both withdrew from the Final Qualification Tournament in Dubai, for the 2021 Rugby World Cup, due to travel restrictions caused by COVID-19.[7][8][9]

In 2023, the Manusina created history when they won their first Oceania title after beating Fiji.[10][11] They have also confirmed their place in World Rugby's inaugural WXV tournament in the WXV 2 division.[10][11]

Record

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Rugby World Cup

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Rugby World Cup
Year Round Position Pld W D L PF PA Squad
  1991 Samoa was not invited to the

Rugby World Cups between 1991 and 1998

  1994
  1998
  2002 9th Place Playoff 9th 4 3 0 1 56 30 Squad
  2006 9th Place Playoff 10th 5 2 0 3 80 84 Squad
  2010 Did Not Qualify
  2014 11th Place Playoff 11th 3 0 0 3 15 148 Squad
  2017 Did Not Qualify
  2021 Withdrew due to COVID-19 pandemic
  2025 Qualified
  2029 TBD
  2033
Total 3/9 9th 12 5 0 7 151 262
  Champion   Runner-up   Third place   Fourth place
* Tied placing Best placing Home venue


Overall

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(Full internationals only, updated to 26 May 2023)

Samoa Internationals From 2000
Opponent First Match Played Won Drawn Lost For Against Win %
  Australia 2009 1 0 0 1 0 87 0.00%
  Canada 2014 1 0 0 1 7 42 0.00%
  England 2005 2 0 0 2 3 118 0.00%
  Fiji 2006 7 3 0 4 117 186 42.85%
  Hong Kong 2019 1 1 0 0 34 15 100.00%
  Ireland 2002 1 1 0 0 22 0 100.00%
  Italy 2013 1 0 0 1 22 65 0.00%
  Japan 2000 1 0 0 1 10 12 0.00%
  Kazakhstan 2002 3 3 0 0 60 10 100.00%
  Netherlands 2013 1 1 0 0 33 14 100.00%
  New Zealand 2006 2 0 0 2 12 140 0.00%
  PNG 2018 4 4 0 0 295 57 100.00%
  Scotland 2002 1 0 0 1 3 13 0.00%
  South Africa 2006 2 1 1 1 84 52 50.00%
  Spain 2006 3 0 0 3 22 65 0.00%
  Sweden 2013 1 1 0 0 29 0 100.00%
  Tonga 2006 5 5 0 0 262 34 100.00%
  United States 2023 1 0 0 1 26 36 0.00%
  Wales 2002 1 1 0 0 17 14 100.00%
Summary 2000 40 21 1 17 1,057 960 52.5%

Players

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Current squad

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Head Coach, Ramsey Tomokino, announced the Manusina's 30-player squad for the WXV 3 competition in Dubai on 12 September.[12]

Player Position Date of birth (age) Caps Club/province
Ana-Maria Afuie Back (1997-04-17)17 April 1997 (aged 27)   Sunnybank RFC
Denise Aiolupotea Prop (1998-10-01)1 October 1998 (aged 25)   MAC Rugby / Hawkes Bay
Tietie Aiolupotea Back   MAC Rugby / Hawkes Bay
Utumalama Atonio Back row (1999-11-07)7 November 1999 (aged 24)   Papatoetoe RFC / Counties Manukau
France Bloomfield Back   College Rifles RFC / Auckland
Tyra Boysen-Auimatagi Centre   Northern Panthers RUFC
Lutia Col Aumua Back
Drenna Falaniko Back   Petone RFC / Wellington
Joanna Fanene-Lolo Back row   Marist Old Boys / Auckland
Linda Fiafia Wing
Avau Valentina Filimaua Forward   Linwood RFC / Canterbury
Ruby Finau Centre   University of Queensland
Nina Foaese Back row (1988-10-24)24 October 1988 (aged 35)   Norths RFC / Wellington
Tori Iosefo Prop (1995-08-23)23 August 1995 (aged 29)   MAC Rugby / Hawkes Bay
Davina Lasini Back (1996-10-31)31 October 1996 (aged 27)   Brothers Rugby Club
Saelua Leaula Scrum-half (1997-07-17)17 July 1997 (aged 27)
Cathy Ulu'ulumatafolau Leuta Hooker (2001-07-27)27 July 2001 (aged 23)   Papatoetoe RFC / Counties Manukau
Fa'asua Makisi Centre (1994-03-16)16 March 1994 (aged 30)   Oriental Rongotai / Wellington
Ana Mamea Forward (2001-11-23)23 November 2001 (aged 22)   Papatoetoe RFC / Counties Manukau
Sydney Niupulusu Lock   Endeavour Hills
Easter Savelio Lock (1999-04-04)4 April 1999 (aged 25)   Tuggeranong Vikings
Angel Schwencke Forward   Petone RFC / Wellington
Machiko Fepulea'i Back row   Easts RUC
Cassie Siataga Fly-half (1995-11-27)27 November 1995 (aged 28)   Linwood RFC / Canterbury
Ana-Lise Sio Lock (1996-01-03)3 January 1996 (aged 28)   Tuggeranong Vikings
Sui Pauaraisa Back row (1987-10-30)30 October 1987 (aged 36)   Linwood RFC / Canterbury
Ti Tauasosi Forward (1987-11-06)6 November 1987 (aged 36)   Marist Old Boys / Auckland
Harmony Vatau Back   Endeavour Hills
Moega Wright Lock   Sunnybank RFC
Karla Wright-Akeli Back (2001-09-15)15 September 2001 (aged 23)   Ponsonby Fillies / Auckland

Previous squads

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Coaches

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Name Years Refs
Feturi Elisaia 2002
Peter Fatialofa 2013 [13]
Euini Lale Faumuina 2014–? [13]
Ramsey Tomokino 2018–Present [14]

References

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  1. ^ "Women's World Rankings". World Rugby. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
  2. ^ "Sport: World Cup qualification a boost for Fiji women's rugby". RNZ. 4 December 2019. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  3. ^ "Samoa win Asia Pacific Women's Rugby Championship". www.rugbyworldcup.com. 3 June 2019. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  4. ^ "Manusina women to play two tests vs Wallaroos". RNZ. 11 May 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  5. ^ "Wallaroos and Manusina to meet in two-test series". worldrugby.org. 12 May 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  6. ^ "COVID fears hit Australian XVs season". Scrum Queens. 27 June 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  7. ^ "Scots in World Cup play-off final boost". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  8. ^ Iveson, Ali (22 January 2022). "Samoa and Hong Kong pull out of Rugby World Cup qualifying due to COVID-19". www.insidethegames.biz. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  9. ^ "Statement regarding Rugby World Cup 2021 Final Qualification Tournament". www.women.rugby. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  10. ^ a b "Cassie Siataga inspires Samoa to first Oceania crown". www.world.rugby. 4 June 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  11. ^ a b Cama, Akuila Cama (5 June 2023). "Fijiana 15s falls, Samoa creates history". Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  12. ^ "Manusina Squad named to play Australia A & World Rugby WXV3". Talamua Online. 13 September 2024. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  13. ^ a b "Sport: New Manusina coach says he has big shoes to fill". RNZ. 22 January 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  14. ^ Ewart, Richard (25 May 2023). "Female coaching set up imminent at Manusina Samoa". ABC Pacific. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
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