Pasifika Rugby On The World Stage

Iliesa
Tora, RNZ Pacific senior sports
journalist

Pasifika rugby teams competing in two World
Rugby events over the next month certainly puts the focus on
island rugby.

It is definitely an opportune time for
the island teams to stake their claims to be considered
amongst the best in the world.

This year’s Pacific
Nations Cup (PNC) series, which is going to involve Fiji,
Samoa and Tonga, also doubles as qualifier for the 2027
Rugby World Cup (RWC).

The PNC will be played again in
its Pacific and Asia or Pool A/Pool B format, where the
Pacific pool includes the island unions while Asia or Pool B
has Canada, Japan and United States of
America.

Pacific teams will play against each other
while the Asia zone will also have their round-robin
matches.

Once that is completed the teams would have
been decided on their placing from 1 to 3, which will then
see the third placed teams playing off against each
other.

Whichever team wins that will join the top two
teams who will make it through to the semi-finals, since
Fiji and Japan have already qualified for the ’27 event in
Australia.

The 2025 Women’s RWC will feature Fijiana
of Fiji and Manusina of Samoa, the two best island
teams.

Fijiana is returning after their 2023 showing,
while Manusina will have their whole 23 member squad making
their world cup debuts.

Manusina is in Pool A of the
competition, alongside Australia, England and
USA.

Fijiana is in Pool B with Canada, Scotland and
Wales.

Both events will kick off this weekend and run
for at least a month.

Fijiana and Manusina ready to
make World Cup mark

Both the Fijiana and Manusina
camps have named their strongest available teams for their
opening matches.

Manusina kicks off their campaign at
11pm on Saturday, New Zealand time, against the Wallaroos of
Australia.

Manusina coach Mataafa Ramsey Tomokino has
named Keilamarita (kay-lah-mah-reeta) Pouri Lane and
Madisen-Jade Iva to make their international debuts against
Australia in Manchester.

Tomokino said from the team’s
camp they have done their preparations and are ready to go
out and face the much-fancied Australians.

“We are the
underdogs,” he said.

“I know Australia will come hard
at us and will be wanting to run through us to win the game
to kick start their campaign.

“But we will play our
own game, play with our strengths and hopefully we will be
able to compete well.”

Tomokino acknowledges the job
for them will be tough, pointing to the gap in playing
warm-up test matches during the preparation period as a big
difference.

“They were able to play some top test
matches while we only had Oceania against Fiji and Tonga,
but we have prepared the best we have been able to and the
players are all eager to go out and play,” he
stated.

Inspirational captain Masuisuimatamaalii
Tauaua-Pauaraisa, who is the most capped player in the side,
said she was excited about the opportunity and believes the
players are all set for the big game.

“We have build
our bonds as a team and our sisterhood, and worked hard to
raise our levels individually and as a team,” she
said.

“The focus is on what we need to do and we will
go out and give our best shot.

“We are thankful to be
representing Samoa and our people and that is something that
keeps driving us. knowing that we have the support of our
families, our fans and our country behind us.”

Fijiana
head coach Ioan Cunnigham has named a side that has
experience and flair, to be led by 21 year old Alfreda
Fisher as captain.

Fiji meet Canada at 4.30am Sunday
(NZ time) at the York Community Stadium in
York.

Bitila Tawake, Jade Coates, Asinate Serevi,
Tiana Robanakadavu and Vika Matarugu are some of the key
players in the side, and their experience will be critical
in helping the team against Canada.

Canada are ranked
number two in the world and their form during the Pacific
Series against Australia, New Zealand and USA leaves them
above Fiji as favourites in the game.

Cunnigham said
their aim is to beat Canada or do well against
them.

Fiji Rugby has confirmed the Fijiana 15s line-up
for their highly anticipated opening match of women’s Rugby
World Cup 2025 against Canada, scheduled for Saturday, 24
August at York Community Stadium in England.

This will
be Fijiana’s second Rugby World Cup appearance, while Canada
enters its 10th tournament.

On current world rankings,
Fijiana is at 14.

Cunningham knows one of the key
areas for the side will be to play their trademark flair and
fighting spirit against one of the world’s most consistent
sides.

On his team selection for the opening match, he
said rewarding form and consistency was major in
that.

“Rewarding performances was one key factor in
selecting the team for this match,” he said.

“Players
who have been performing well and consistently deserve the
opportunity.”

While Canada’s powerful and structured
style poses a challenge, the Fijiana will focus on their own
strengths.

“I don’t think we can select to combat the
style of rugby that Canada play,” he said.

“We have to
focus on ourselves and our strengths – what we can do well
to put pressure on Canada and create scoring opportunities.
Canada are a very good team, so our focus has to be on
us.”

Interestingly, Cunningham has gone for 21 year
old Fisher as captain, adding there is a group of leaders
who help out, with the players given the freedom to play
their best.

“Leadership plays a big role within the
team, but our focus and challenge are to stay in the present
moment and win each moment,” he said.

“We want our
players to go out, express themselves, and show the world
what incredible athletes we have.”

Young players on
the list include Selai Naliva, Kelerayani Luvu, and Salote
Nailolo.

“The young players deserve their
opportunity,” Cunningham said.

“They have brought
energy to the team. The modern game demands high energy and
work rate – this is what the young players give
us.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to test ourselves
against one of the best teams in the world. And there’s no
better way to do that than in a Rugby World Cup.

“We
will give it our all and leave everything out on the
field.”

Both Manusina and Fijiana camps said they are
counting on fans in England to come out and support them,
also confident of home and overseas support.

Manusina
v Australia

Kick-off: 11:00pm Satruday, 23
Augusts

Manchester

Manusina: 1.
Ana Mamea, 2. Avau Filimaua, 3. Glory Aiono, 4. Ana-Lise
Sio,5. Demielle Onesemo-Tuilaepa, 6. Sinead Ryder, 7. Sui
Pauaraisa (captain), 8. Utumalama Atonio, 9. Ana Afuie, 10.
Harmony Vatau, 11. Drenna Falaniko, 12. Fa’asua Makisi, 13.
Keilamarita Pouri-Lane, 14. Lutia Col Aumua, 15.Karla
Wright-Akeli; Bench: 16. Cathy Lulu Leuta, 17. Denise
Aiolupotea, 18. Tori Iosefo, 19. Jayjay Taylor, 20. Madisen
Jade Iva, 21. Christabella Onesemo, 22. Melina Salale, 23.
Faalua Tugaga

Fijiana v Canada

Kick-off:
4:30am Sunday, 24 August

York Community Stadium,
York

Fijiana: 1. Loraini Senivutu, 2, Bitila Tawake,
3. Tiana Robanakadavu, 4.Jade Coates, 5. Mereoni Nakesa, 6.
Nunia Daunimoala, 7. Alfreda Fisher (captain), 8. Manuqalo
Komaitai, 9. Setaita Railumu,10. Salanieta Kinita, 11.
Repeka Tove, 12. Josifini Neihamu, 13. Ema Adivitaloga, 14.
Ilisapeci Delaiwau, 15. Litiana Vueti; Bench: 16. Selai
Naliva, 17. Wainikiti Vasuturaga, 18. Vika Matarugu, 19.
Asinate Serevi, 20. Karalaini Naisewa, 21. Kolora Lomani,
22. Kelerayani Luvu, 23. Salote Nailolo.

Road to 2027
for Samoa and Tonga men’s sides

There is no denying
the fact that both Manu Samoa and the ‘Ikale Tahi are both
focused on securing world cup spots at the PNC.

Manu
Samoa head coach Lemalu Tusi Pisi has named his strongest
Manu Samoa team available to tackle Tonga’s Ikale Tahi in a
Pacific Nations Cup match on Saturday.

Pisi and the
team have been in Nuku’alofa since Monday
afternoon.

His lineup includes a number of players
from the American league, plus a few who have secured their
release from their European and French clubs.

Captain
Theodore MacFarland, Michael Alaalatoa, Samuela Slade,
Taleni Seu, Melani Matavao, Tuna Tuitama and Henry Taefu
will be key players in the team’s campaign in Tonga on
Saturday.

Physical and brutal is what the match is
expected to be – the hallmark of any Pacific rugby
clash.

Pisi said they will take their chances and play
for Samoa, with their focus on getting into the world cup in
2027.

“This match carries enormous significance, not
only as the latest chapter in the long-standing rivalry
between

Samoa and Tonga, but also as a decisive step
towards qualification for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in
Australia,” Pisi said in Nuku’alofa.

“This is more
than just a Test Match. It’s about the pride of our people,
our families, and our place at the Rugby

World Cup in
2027.

“Tonga will be a fierce opponent, but our
players are ready to embrace the challenge
and

represent Samoa with heart and courage.”

The
Tongans understand what Samoa will bring to Te’ufaiva
Stadium.

Head coach Tevita Tuifua and assistant Nili
Latu have been in numerous battles against their fellow
Polynesians in the past.

They know how tough their
battles have always been,

Tuifua said brains and
sticking to their game plan will be critical.

“I guess
that’s where the game will be won, using mental as an edge
and sticking to our basics and game plan,” he
said.

“It is going to be a physical clash throughout,
it will be demanding physically and mentally so our players
will have to be up to par.”

The ‘Ikale Tahi have 12
players from the 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign in the team
to face Manu Samoa.

The list includes prop pairings
Ben Tameifuna, who will lead the side, and Siegfried
Fisi’ihoi, former All Black Charles Piutai, who will run in
at fullback, former Warriors star Solomone Kata at outside
centre, flyhalf Patrick Pellegrini and winger Fine
Inisi.

Lock Halaleva Fifita makes a return along with
flanker Tanginoa Halaifonua.

Veterean halfback
Sonatane Takulua has come out of retirement to assist
Tonga’s campaign.

‘Ikale Tahi v Manu
Samoa

Kick-off: 2:00pm NZT

Te’ufaiva Stadium,
Nuku’alofa

Tonga: 1 Siegfried
Fisi’ihoi, 2 Siua Maile, 3 Ben Tameifuna; 4 Halaleva Fifita,
5 Harison Mataele; 6 Tanginoa Halaifonua, 7 Siosiua Moala, 8
Lotu Inisi; 9 Sonatane Takulua, 10 Patrick Pellegrini; 11
John Tapueluelu, 12 Fetuli Paea, 13 Solomone Kata, 14 Fine
Inisi; 15 Salesi Piutau; Bench: 16 Samiuela
Moli, 17 Salesi Tuifua, 18 Solomone Tukuafu, 19 Tupou
Afungia, 20 Fotu Lokotui, 21 Augustine Pulu, 22 Josiah Unga,
23 Nikolai Foliaki.

Samoa: 1 Aki
Seiuli, 2 Pita Anae-Ah Sue, 3 Michael Alaalatoa; 4 Benjamin
Petaia Nee-Nee, 5 Samuel Slade; 6 Taleni Seu, 7 Theo
McFarland, 8 Iakopo Mapu; 9 Melani Matavao, 10 AJ Alatimu;
11 Tuna Tuitama, 12 Henry Taefu, 12 Melani Nanai 14 Tomasi
Alosio; 15 Lolagi Visinia; Bench: 16 Luteru
Tolai, 17 Jarred Adams, 18 Bradley So’o Amituanai, 19
Michael Curry, 20 Olajuwon Noa, 21 Joel Lam, 22 Rodney Iona,
23 Elisapeta Alofipo.

Meanwhile, the Asia or Pool B
competition will open with Canada hosting USA at the McMahon
Stadium on Sunday morning.

Whichever team wins this
match in Calgary will gain a potentially decisive advantage
on qualification for the Men’s 2027 Rugby World Cup 2027 in
Australia.

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