World Rugby's Cinderella story in 2024 - Penina Pasifika - has today unveiled a star-studded squad ahead of their return to the Super Rugby Women's sphere.
Supported by the Australian government's PacificAus Sports program, Penina Pasifika burst to life last year with the best Samoan and Tongan women combining to tackle Australian franchises in a pre-season trial block.
Click to learn more about PacificAus Sports' partnership with Rugby Australia.
Dubbed the "Pearls", Penina almost pulled off the unthinkable in their maiden outing against Queensland - eventually going down 17-7 to the Reds after leading 7-5 late in the game - before tackling Aussie heavyweights the Brumbies and Waratahs in hard-fought trial fixtures.
Now, the Pearls are back in action for 2025 with 18 Test and 19 first-class representatives named in the 30-woman Penina squad for their four-game tour of Australia's Super Rugby Women's sides.
It's a new-look squad with just six players remaining from the 2024 pioneers - but this squad doesn't lack punch.
Of the 13 Tongan women named, eight have represented Lofa (Tongan XVs national side) while 10 of the 17 Samoan women named are capped for Manusina (Samoan XVs national side).
A further eight players have played international sevens for either Tonga or Samoa while 19 have played either Farah Palmer Cup or Super W/Aupiki.
In a statement, Oceania Rugby general manager Frank Puletua underscored the significance of the Penina Pasifika program in advancing women’s rugby in the region.
"The growth and visibility of women’s rugby in our region continues to have a profound impact on young people across the Pacific," Puletua said.
"The inspiration drawn from Penina Pasifika is truly immense and highlights the importance of this team in advancing the game for the women and girls of the Pacific.
"Oceania Rugby extends its sincere gratitude to Rugby Australia and the Australian Federal Government for its continued support of this great initiative.
Penina Pasifika will play each Australian side during their respective Super Rugby Women's bye weekends, kicking off against Queensland Reds on March 1.
Rugby Australia's general manager for women's rugby, Jilly Collins, shared her excitement to welcome Penina Pasifika back for a second year.
"It's fantastic to have them playing against all our Australian Super Rugby teams," Collins said in a statement.
"This provides more quality match opportunities for players gunning for their place on the plane to England for the Rugby World Cup later this year.”
Ana Mamea (Samoa) , Ti Tauasosi (Samoa ), Avau Filimaua (Samoa ), Cathy Leuta (Samoa ), Nata Kilismasi (Tonga) , Lila Hifo (Tonga ), Tori Iosefo (Samoa), Eseta Vuki (Tonga ), Arwen Patrick (Samoa ), Margaret Manase (Tonga ), Demeille Onesemo-Tuilapea (Samoa ), Precious Auimatagi (Samoa ), Christabelle Onesemo-Tuilaepa (Samoa ), Easter Amataga (Samoa ), Faith Nonutunu (Tonga ), Nina Foaese (Samoa ), Ana Ngahe (Tonga ), Sheniqua Taula (Tonga ), Tonga Tuiaki (Tonga ), Harmony Vatau (Samoa ), Mele Akolo (Tonga ), Keilamarita Pouri-Lane (Samoa ), Siutiti Maake (Tonga), Soloi Ruby Finau (Samoa), Lesieli Tai (Tonga ), Loketi Mahoni (Tonga ), Lyric Faleafaga (Samoa ), Melina Salale (Samoa ), Kristal Taufui (Tonga).
PacificAus Sports is an Australian Government sports diplomacy initiative developing pathways for Pacific teams and athletes to compete in elite competitions and access high-performance coaching in Australia and internationally.
The program partners with Australian national sports organisations to support a range of Pacific sports, including rugby union, with funding split evenly between women and men.
PacificAus Sports also partners with the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) to promote Pacific sports through ABC Television’s 'The Pacific Sports Show' and ABC Radio’s Fresh Off The Field'.
The high-performance outcomes of PacificAus Sports are complemented by the Australian Government’s Team Up program, which focuses on sports development in the Pacific.
For more information about PacificAus Sports and its initiatives, visit www.pacificaussports.gov.au and follow PacificAus Sports on Facebook.
