Fetu Samoa Head Coach Jamie Soward looks to continue his great coaching form when his side takes on the Kiwi Ferns this Sunday at Auckland’s Go Media Stadium. The much anticipated match will be staged as a 3.30pm curtain raiser to the Toa Samoa v Kiwis clash.
In 2024, Soward led the Fetu Samoa to an undefeated year, overcoming the likes of Tonga Women (30-16), Fiji Bulikula (16-12) and the PNG Orchids (34-12). In doing so, Fetu Samoa qualified for the 2026 Women’s Rugby League World Cup.
The big news in the Fetu Samoa side is their Vice-Captain Sienna Lofipo. The 20-year-old was named for her maiden Jillaroos squad last Monday 6th October, but pledged her allegiance to Samoa amidst the international tug-of-war for her services this season.
The Gold Coast star told Jillaroos officials she instead wanted to remain loyal to Samoa, after debuting for the country under Jamie Soward in 2023.
“I’m incredibly honoured to be selected to represent both Australia and Samoa. It means so much to be able to represent both sides of my family and make them proud. But after thinking long and hard and talking with my family, I want to represent Samoa again this year,” Lofipo said in a statement.
“It was an extremely tough decision, but I want to uphold the commitment I made to Samoa after qualifying last year for our first Women’s Rugby League World Cup in 2026..
”Being part of the Fetu team that qualified for the 2026 World Cup has really motivated me, and I’m excited to give it everything I’ve got and make a statement for Samoa on the World Stage..
“I want to thank Jillaroos coach Jess Skinner for considering me and I wish her and the squad well for the Pacific Championships.”
The exciting Fetu team doesn’t stop with Lofipo. She is joined by Bronco’s trio Annetta-Claudia Nu’uausala, Shalom Sauaso and Destiny Brill.
All three played in the NRLW Grand Final where they defeated the Roosters 22-18.
Nu’uausala captained Fetu Samoa in last year’s World Cup qualifiers and she will continue to do so this weekend. The Bronco’s veteran is a former Kiwi Fern having represented New Zealand between 2016 and 2022 before deciding to represent her motherland last year.
Shalom Sauaso is coming off an outstanding rookie season in the NRLW. Sauaso played in 10 of the Broncos 13 matches this year where she scored 5 tries, including a crucial try in the Grand Final. The 18-year-old, in 2025, took home RLPA Rookie of the Year and the Dally M Rookie of the Year awards. She has been named as one of three debutants in the side.
Completing the Broncos trio is Queensland representative Destiny Brill who looks to direct traffic for Fetu from the hooker position.
Joining Brill in Fetu’s spine is Pauline Piliae-Rasabale and former Jillaroos Taliah Fuimaono. Fuimaono and Piliae-Rasabale will look to bring their Gold Coast Titans combination this weekend against the Kiwis.
Estanoa Faitala-Mariner and Ryvrr-Lee Alo are the other two debutants named in the Fetu Samoa squad for this weekend.
Fetu Samoa open their Pacific Championship campaign against the Kiwis before they face the Jillaroos next weekend at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.
Samoa’s TV1 have announced they will air the two matches – Fetu v Kiwi Ferns at 3.30pm and Toa Samoa v Kiwis at 6pm (Samoa & NZ Time).
Vacancy at SPA
Vacancy at SNPF
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- Toa Samoa Name Explosive Line-Up for World Cup Opener - October 13, 2026
