Samoa women's national rugby union team
| Nickname | Manusina Samoa | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Union | Rugby Samoa | ||
| Head coach | Ramsey Tomokino | ||
| Captain | Sui Pauaraisa | ||
| |||
| World Rugby ranking | |||
| Current | 15 (as of 22 September 2025) | ||
| Highest | 13 (2003) | ||
| Lowest | 18 | ||
| 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 | |||
| England 92–3 Samoa (Northampton, England; 30 August 2025) | |||
| World Cup | |||
| Appearances | 4 (First in 2002) | ||
| Best result | 9th (2002) | ||
| Rank | Change* | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | England | 97.76 | |
| 2 | Canada | 90.13 | |
| 3 | New Zealand | 88.76 | |
| 4 | France | 86.42 | |
| 5 | Ireland | 78.20 | |
| 6 | Scotland | 77.39 | |
| 7 | Australia | 75.46 | |
| 8 | United States | 72.90 | |
| 9 | Italy | 72.37 | |
| 10 | South Africa | 71.62 | |
| 11 | Japan | 69.72 | |
| 12 | Wales | 66.13 | |
| 13 | Fiji | 63.98 | |
| 14 | Spain | 62.42 | |
| 15 | Samoa | 59.72 | |
| 16 | Hong Kong | 57.56 | |
| 17 | Netherlands | 57.42 | |
| 18 | Russia | 55.10 | |
| 19 | Kazakhstan | 53.88 | |
| 20 | Kenya | 50.68 | |
| *Change from the previous week | |||
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.
History
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
Rugby World Cup
| 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 | Pool Stage | — | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 225 | Squad | |||||||||||
| 2029 | TBD | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2033 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 4/10 | 9th† | 15 | 5 | 0 | 10 | 154 | 487 | Squad | |||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Overall
(Full internationals only, updated to 26 May 2023)
| 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
Current squad
Samoa named their final 32-player squad on 1 August for the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup in England.[12]
Note: The age and number of caps listed for each player is as of 22 August 2025, the first day of the tournament.
| Player | Position | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Club/province |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avau Valentina Filimaua | Hooker | 4 August 2003 (aged 22) | 8 | Linwood RFC / Canterbury / Penina Pasifika |
| Cathy Ulu'ulumatafolau Leuta | Hooker | 27 July 2001 (aged 24) | 9 | Papatoetoe RFC / Counties Manukau / Penina Pasifika |
| Faith Nonutunu | Hooker | 17 July 2005 (aged 20) | 0 | |
| Denise Aiolupotea | Prop | 1 October 1998 (aged 26) | 6 | MAC Rugby / Hawkes Bay / Hurricanes Poua |
| Glory Aiono Samuelu | Prop | 16 March 2002 (aged 23) | 7 | |
| Tori Iosefo | Prop | 23 August 1995 (aged 29) | 5 | MAC Rugby / Hawkes Bay / Penina Pasifika |
| Ana Mamea | Prop | 23 November 2001 (aged 23) | 14 | Papatoetoe RFC / Counties Manukau / Penina Pasifika |
| Ti Tauasosi | Prop | 6 November 1987 (aged 37) | 10 | Marist Old Boys / Auckland / Penina Pasifika |
| Demielle Onesemo-Tuilaepa | Second row | 7 September 2004 (aged 20) | 0 | Penina Pasifika |
| Ana-Lise Sio | Second row | 3 January 1996 (aged 29) | 8 | Tuggeranong Vikings |
| Jayjay Taylor | Second row | 22 May 1997 (aged 28) | 0 | |
| Utumalama Atonio | Back row | 7 November 1999 (aged 25) | 15 | Papatoetoe RFC / Counties Manukau |
| Joanna Fanene-Lolo | Back row | 11 November 1998 (aged 26) | 3 | Marist Old Boys / Auckland |
| Nina Foaese | Back row | 24 October 1988 (aged 36) | 23 | Norths RFC / Wellington / Penina Pasifika |
| Christabelle Onesemo-Tuilaepa | Back row | 7 September 2004 (aged 20) | 1 | Penina Pasifika |
| Sinead Ryder | Back row | 19 December 1991 (aged 33) | 6 | |
| Sui Tauaua-Pauaraisa (c) | Back row | 30 October 1987 (aged 36) | 24 | Linwood RFC / Canterbury |
| Ana-Maria Afuie | Scrum-half | 17 April 1997 (aged 28) | 6 | Sunnybank RFC |
| Saelua Leaula | Scrum-half | 17 July 1997 (aged 28) | 15 | |
| Faalua Tugaga | Scrum-half | 22 December 2001 (aged 23) | 7 | |
| Drenna Falaniko | Centre | 30 January 2004 (aged 21) | 4 | Petone RFC / Wellington |
| Madisen-Jade Iva | Centre | 10 October 2004 (aged 20) | 0 | |
| Davina Lasini | Centre | 31 October 1996 (aged 28) | 6 | Brothers Rugby Club |
| Fa'asua Makisi | Centre | 16 March 1994 (aged 31) | 2 | Oriental Rongotai / Wellington |
| Keilamarita Pouri-Lane | Centre | 9 April 1996 (aged 29) | 0 | Penina Pasifika |
| Harmony Vatau | Centre | 19 April 2004 (aged 21) | 7 | Endeavour Hills / Penina Pasifika |
| Lutia Col Aumua | Wing | 23 September 2003 (aged 21) | 9 | |
| Michelle Curry | Wing | 4 September 1996 (aged 28) | 8 | |
| Linda Fiafia | Wing | 9 August 1993 (aged 32) | 13 | |
| Taytana Pati Ah-Cheung | Fullback | 12 July 2004 (aged 21) | 2 | |
| Melina Salale | Fullback | 9 July 2002 (aged 23) | 1 | Penina Pasifika |
| Karla Wright-Akeli | Fullback | 15 September 2001 (aged 23) | 7 | Ponsonby Fillies / Auckland |
World Cup squads
Coaches
| Name | Years | Refs |
|---|---|---|
| Feturi Elisaia | 2002 | |
| Peter Fatialofa | 2013 | [13] |
| Euini Lale Faumuina | 2014–? | [13] |
| Ramsey Tomokino | 2018–Present | [14] |
References
- ^ "Women's World Rankings". World Rugby. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
- ^ "Sport: World Cup qualification a boost for Fiji women's rugby". RNZ. 4 December 2019. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
- ^ "Samoa win Asia Pacific Women's Rugby Championship". www.rugbyworldcup.com. 3 June 2019. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ "Manusina women to play two tests vs Wallaroos". RNZ. 11 May 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ "Wallaroos and Manusina to meet in two-test series". worldrugby.org. 12 May 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ "COVID fears hit Australian XVs season". Scrum Queens. 27 June 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ "Scots in World Cup play-off final boost". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Statement regarding Rugby World Cup 2021 Final Qualification Tournament". www.women.rugby. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
- ^ a b "Cassie Siataga inspires Samoa to first Oceania crown". www.world.rugby. 4 June 2023. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
- ^ a b Cama, Akuila Cama (5 June 2023). "Fijiana 15s falls, Samoa creates history". Fiji Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
- ^ "Samoa announce squad for Women's RWC 2025". Rugby World Cup. 1 August 2025. Retrieved 2 August 2025.
- ^ a b "Sport: New Manusina coach says he has big shoes to fill". RNZ. 22 January 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
- ^ Ewart, Richard (25 May 2023). "Female coaching set up imminent at Manusina Samoa". ABC Pacific. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Samoa women's national rugby union team.