Penina Samoa Ready to do “Battle of the Pacific

Tonga – 10 April 2026 – In a few hours, two women’s rugby teams, the Penina Samoa will do battle with Penina Tonga at Teufauva Park at 4.00 this afternoon in a historic ‘Battle of the Pacific’ clash.

Supported by the Australian Government’s PacificAus Sports program in partnership with Lakapi Samoa, Tonga Rugby Union and Rugby Australia, this match is part of an ongoing effort to strengthen domestic pathways for women’s rugby in Samoa and Tonga.

The match builds on the success of previous editions of Penina Pasifika, where Samoan players gained invaluable experience competing in Australia against some of the region’s strongest Super Rugby Women’s sides.

This afternoon, Samoa’s home-based players face off against their Tongan counterparts in what promises to be a highly competitive encounter. The match, along with the lead-in camps, provides valuable exposure and serves as vital preparation for both teams as they build toward the Oceania Women’s Rugby Championship in Fiji later this April.

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, said this is a perfect opportunity for domestic players to get exposure.

“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.”

The side will be led by captain Saelua Leaula, a Manusina representative in both 15s and 7s.

“Being part of this team is an incredible experience. Being here in Tonga and getting the opportunity to play against strong regional opponents will push us to grow, not just as athletes, but as leaders on and off the field,” said the Captain.

“For our emerging local players, this is a chance to gain confidence, learn from the experience, and show what Samoan women can achieve in rugby. Most importantly, we hope it inspires the next generation of girls back home to see that there is a real pathway for them to follow and dreams worth chasing in this sport.”

Daniel Millis, Rugby Australia’s General Manager for Government Relations and Pacific, highlighted the significance of the partnership:

“With the support of the Australian Government, Rugby Australia is proud to work alongside Lakapi Samoa and Tonga Rugby Union to support the growth of women’s rugby in our region. Penina Pasifika builds meaningful pathways for domestic players while also strengthening the unions themselves. There is a huge amount of collaboration, planning, and effort behind the scenes to make this happen, which benefits both players and the broader rugby community in the Pacific. It’s a partnership that develops talent, deepens regional connections, and helps rugby continue to grow sustainably across Samoa, Tonga, and the wider Pacific.”

Fans can catch the action live via Tonga’s Broadcom FM87.5 Facebook and YouTube channels, giving supporters the chance to cheer on the Samoan side.