A late penalty goal has seen Australia A fall 20-17 to Manusina in their historic tour clash at Apia Stadium in Samoa.
Teenage duo Waiaria Ellis and Ruby Anderson starred in their first taste of international rugby while wingers Brooklyn Teki Joyce and Ashlea Bishop combined for all three of Australia A's tries.
Ellis, 16, was electric from fullback with two line breaks, two line break assists and a try assist with Anderson (three turnovers) a constant breakdown threat.
However, it was the hosts’ day in Apia as a late fightback from Manusina culminated in an overtime penalty goal by flyhalf Cassie Siataga from 43m out.
Bishop needed just five minutes to open Australia A’s account at Apia Stadium, chasing down an Ellis kick and outpacing the Manusina cover defence for the game’s first try, Samantha Wood converting for a 7-0 lead.
Rival winger Linda Fiafia hit back immediately for Manusina, scoring out wide to reduce the margin to 7-5.
The hosts then took the lead through Ana Mamea, who bashed her way over in the 24th minute with Siataga converting for a 12-7 advantage.
Australia A responded in kind through Teki Joyce, who linked up with her captain Annabelle Codey for a well-worked try to level the scores 12-all heading into half time.
Another moment of Ellis magic produced Teki Joyce’s second try in the 46th minute with the fullback sweeping right and creating an overlap for her winger to go ahead 17-12.
But the Manusina wouldn’t be denied, rallying late with a 76th minute try before Siataga stepped up for the matchwinner.
The former Rebels playmaker missed her earlier conversion attempt but made no mistake from 43m out, hitting the crossbar and bouncing it through for a famous 20-17 victory.
