The first half was a landslide in Samoa’s favour as Jamie Soward’s team dominated the match in every aspect. Samoa opened their account through the dominant running of Shalom Sauaso.
The 18 year old with her first touch of the ball In international footy decided to do it all herself beating not 1, not 2, not even 3 but 6 defenders as she bullied her way to score Samoas first try.
Samo’a 6-0 lead became 10-0 in a heartbeat after some silky play by Samoa’s halfback.
Pauline Piliae-Rasabale shaped to kick on the last tackle but instead sent it wide where Sarina Masaga found herself in a gaping hole and over the try line.
The Kiwi Ferns were on the back foot and it didn’t help when Fetu added a third try.
The Kiwi Ferns Patricia Maliepo tried to win back some momentum but putting in a kick for Tasha Ikenasio.
However brilliant work from Destiny Mino-Sinapati saw her catch Maliepo’s kick and take it the full length of the field to extend Samoa’s lead to 14-0.
Piliae-Rasabale had her fingers all over Samoa’s fourth try. She had played short down the right hand side all game and with 2 minutes left in the first half she pulled the trigger and finally played it wide.
Sarina Masaga harvested the fruits of Piliae-Rasabale’s ball playing as she put Masaga into space. Masaga did well to cut the New Zealand defence before finding Tavarna Papali’i supporting on the inside to score.
Despite Samoa leading 20-0 at halftime, you just knew the lead wasn’t safe, especially when facing the Kiwi Ferns.
The home side came out of the half time tunnel firing on all cylinders cutting Fetu’s lead in half in just 10 minutes.
Tries to Shanice Baker and Ashleigh Quinlan put the kiwis just 10 points down.
Fetu Samoa forgot to come out of the halftime tunnel and the Kiwis made them pay the full amount.
This time it was the New Zealand number 7 who had the ball on a string. Raecene McGregor put a flat grubber kick towards the uprights and it sat up perfectly for Alexis Tauaneai to score the Fern’s third try.
All of a sudden the momentum was with the home side as they cut the Samoan lead to 20-16.
Samoa looked to have weathered the storm until some individual brilliance from Mele Hufanga put New Zealand into the lead.
A Fetu Samoa kick went straight to Hufanga who went 95 meters to break the hearts of Samoa and complete the 20-0 comeback and win 22-20.
Vacancy at SPA
Public Notices from SNPF
- Big Names Make Eligibility Switch as Manu Samoa Name Nations Cup Squad - October 8, 2026
- Toa Samoa Unveil Star-Studded 2026 World Cup Squad - October 6, 2026
- Tifaimoana Punch Ticket to 2027 Netball World Cup - September 18, 2026
