Samoa Penina have claimed a historic ‘Battle of the Pacific’ victory, defeating Tonga Penina 19-10 at Teufaiva Stadium.
Supported by the Australian Government’s PacificAus Sports program, Rugby Australia is delighted to partner with Lakapi Samoa and Tonga Rugby Union to deliver this exciting fixture, strengthening development pathways for women’s rugby in both countries.
WACTH A FULL REPLAY HERE OR IN THE PLAYER BELOW
The match builds on the success of previous Penina Pasifika initiatives, where players gained valuable experience competing in elite competition in Australia against Super Rugby Women’s teams. Today’s clash brings together top domestic talent in what promises to be a fast-paced and highly competitive encounter.
Beyond the match itself, the lead-in camps and preparations have provided both teams with important development opportunities as they build toward upcoming international commitments, including the Oceania Women’s Rugby Championship later this month in Fiji.
Samoan Penina Pasifika Head Coach Filoi Eneliko, who was a member of the Manusina coaching staff at the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2025 and is the current Women’s Academy Manager, shared:
“This fixture is a key development opportunity for our Samoan women. Traveling to Tonga gives our domestic players valuable experience and exposure, allowing them to test themselves in a competitive environment.
"What Penina Pasifika has helped built domestically—through local pathway competitions and the NPC—now provides a viable pathway to national selection, something that previously didn’t exist on-island.
"Several players from Penina Samoa are likely to make their Manusina debut at the upcoming Oceania Women’s Rugby Championship, and strong performances here can also open doors to further international opportunities.”
Rugby Australia General Manager for Government Relations and Pacific, Daniel Millis, said the fixture reflects the strength of collaboration between the unions.
“This match highlights the power of partnership in growing the women’s game. Rugby Australia is delighted to work alongside Lakapi Samoa and Tonga Rugby Union to create meaningful opportunities for players to develop and perform on a larger stage.
“Through initiatives like Penina Pasifika, we’re helping build stronger pathways for athletes while supporting the continued growth of rugby in Tonga and Samoa.”
