To build on the strong rugby union ties between Samoa and Australia, an Indigenous Australian Women’s national rugby 7s team is in the country to compete at this year’s Teuila International 7s tournament.
The 2025 tour, supported by the Australian Government through PacificAus Sports and Rugby Australia, follows on from last year’s visit by the First Nations men’s team and an Australian national women’s side, who both took part in Samoa’s centenary celebrations.
Learn more about Rugby Australia's partnership with PacificAus Sports here.
The Teuila International 7s, hosted annually by Lakapi Samoa, has become a showcase of Pacific rugby talent, and for the Indigenous Australian women, this marks their first-ever international tour.
The Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Team, or ‘Lloydies’, played a pivotal role in preparing the squad.
For more than two decades, Lloydies have created pathways for young Indigenous athletes, continuing the legacy of Lloyd McDermott – the second First Nations player to represent Australia as a Wallaby.
“Having our First Nations women’s team tour Samoa for the first time is incredibly special,” said Rugby Australia’s First Nations Rugby Manager, Matthew Sonter.
“These players are representing their families, communities, and culture with pride, while also showing the next generation of young Indigenous women what’s possible through rugby.”
Among the players is team captain Renae Nona, who has represented both the Queensland Reds and Western Force, and described the opportunity to pull on a Lloydies jersey overseas as "a dream come true".
“I’ve always looked up to the women who paved the way in rugby, and now to wear the Lloydies jersey in Samoa feels amazing,” said Nona.
“It’s about more than just playing, it’s about representing who we are, our stories, and where we come from.”
Beyond the rugby field, the tour also includes a strong community engagement program, providing players a chance to connect with Samoan communities on a deeper level – building friendships, learning from local traditions, and proudly showcasing First Nations culture in return.
Australian High Commissioner to Samoa, Will Robinson, said tours like this highlight the power of sport to strengthen the Samoa–Australia relationship.
“Sport is one of the strongest bridges we have between our two countries,” Robinson said.
“Through PacificAus Sports, Australia is delighted to support this historic First Nations women’s tour, which will deepen our friendship with Samoa, share culture, and open up new opportunities for young athletes. It’s about building lasting ties that go well beyond the rugby field.”
That sense of connection was evident during last year’s First Nations men’s tour to Samoa, where players not only bonded with local communities but also gained invaluable experience on the international stage.
Kye Oates and Jarrah McLeod went from representing the Lloydies in the Pacific to signing Super Rugby contracts with the ACT Brumbies, while teammate Gage Phillips secured a full-time deal with the Australian Men’s Sevens program.
The women’s side are now expected to follow in those footsteps – using the tour to showcase their talent, embrace cultural exchange, and build even closer connections with Samoa.
PacificAus Sports is an Australian Government sports diplomacy initiative developing pathways for Pacific teams and athletes to compete in elite competitions and access high-performance coaching in Australia and internationally.
The program partners with Australian national sports organisations to support a range of Pacific sports, including rugby league, rugby union, netball, football, AFL, cricket, and Olympic/Paralympic sports, with funding split evenly between women's and men's sports.
PacificAus Sports also partners with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) to promote Pacific sport through ABC Television’s That Pacific Sports Show and ABC Radio’s Fresh Off the Field.
The high-performance outcomes of PacificAus Sports are complemented by the Australian Government’s Team Up program, which focuses on sport for development in the Pacific.
