A test of strength: Australia A to face Samoa’s Manusina in Apia

History will be made at Apia Park, the home of Samoan rugby, when the Australia A women’s team takes on Samoa’s Manusina on Monday, 16 September.

The match and the high-performance training camp that precedes it are being delivered by the Australian Government through PacificAus Sports, in partnership with Rugby Australia and Lakapi Samoa.

“Rugby has long brought our two nations together, as competitors on the field, and great friends off it,” said the Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Pat Conroy. “We look forward to what promises to be an exciting match, and we will continue to support the growth of women’s rugby in Samoa and throughout the Pacific.”

Building momentum for international competition

The opportunity to train and compete together will give the players an important boost as they prepare for the 2024 WXV tournament, the annual global women’s 15s competition taking place across Canada, South Africa and Dubai from Friday, 27 September.

According to Rugby Australia, the experience of playing against quality competitors like the Manusina is a crucial contributor to the development of the Australian talent pool.

“We're delighted that our PacificAus Sports partnership with the Australian Government will support an Australia A women's team tour to Samoa,” said Jilly Collins, General Manager of Women’s Rugby at Rugby Australia. “Playing against Manusina will provide a unique and enriching experience for all involved and further strengthen our women’s rugby partnership with Samoa”.

Faleomavaega Vincent Fepulea'i, CEO of Lakapi Samoa, views the Australia A tour and the WXV3 tournament as important stepping stones towards qualification for the Women's Rugby World Cup, to be held in England next year. 

"We want to acknowledge the support of the Australian Government through PacificAus Sports in making this fixture a reality,” he said. “Without this … it would have been extremely tough for [the] Manusina to have some meaningful competition before attempting to qualify for the Women's Rugby World Cup. Having a first-class fixture in Samoa greatly boosts our women's game."

Veterans and newcomers take to the field 

The Australia A team will be captained by Liz Patu, a veteran Wallaroo who has represented Australia in three Women's Rugby World Cups. She will lead a team bursting with young talent, including Rugby Australia’s ‘rookie of the year’, Carys Dallinger.

Masuisuimatamaalii (Sui) Tauasa Pauaraisa, who previously played for the New Zealand Warriors in the NRL Women's Premiership, will captain the Samaon side. The fixture marks the Manusina’s first home game since 2009.

“Words never describe the feeling of playing your first-ever Manusina game for your country in front of our beloved people. We are super excited,” she said. “It will be a huge honour and privilege to lead and captain our Manusina team in Samoa and an awesome opportunity to get in a quality match and showcase the many talented Tama'ita'i [women] in Samoa through rugby”.