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Penina Pasifika 2025 team jersey presentation, featuring Pacific Netball legend Cat Tuivaiti.

Well, that should not apply only to the players but to all not fully reflect all the good work and tremendous effort these
rugby personnels, including referees and match officials. women have put in this year. It is a work in progress and they will
In this way, everyone is held accountable for their actions. definitely reap their rewards in due time.
Hopefully, the Super Rugby tournaments uphold this Writing earlier this year, Head Coach Ramsey Tomokino said:
standard of rugby. “We have amongst the squad, 18 players that have had test match
experience, nine that have represented their National 7s teams,
Penina Pasifika finding their feet six returning players from 2024 and a total of 19 players that
This year, also saw the return of the Penina Pasifika, have Farah Palmer Cup or Super W experience. This team is young
a team that operates under the Australian Pacific Rugby and exciting with some key experience…The beauty about our
Union Partnership, with support from Rugby Australia, the Pacific nature is that we thrive on challenges, we are navigators
Pacific Women’s Pathway, PacificAusSports and Oceania by nature and the ocean is what binds us, so we are prepared
Rugby. for obstacles and happy to wear the underdog tag as we journey
Formally established in 2024, the Penina Pasifika through Australia.
team made its debut in the pre-season of the Super W. “We know it won’t be easy, just as it wasn’t easy for our
This year they played the four Australian Super W sides ancestors who found a way. I love that, in the youthfulness of this
(Queensland Reds, ACT Brumbies, Western Force and NSW team, players are wanting to represent their Pasifika heritage
Waratahs) during the bye weeks. despite having the choice to opt for other opportunities,”
The squad was represented by 17 Samoan and 13 Tomokino added.
Tongan women, and is captained by Samoa Manusina loose However, Women’s Rugby Programme Manager for Oceania
forward, Nina Foaese. She is a formidable leader and a Rugby, Sheridan Graham-Tupaea, said that at this stage, there
great ambassador of the Polynesian culture, with very are no plans for Penina Pasifika to join into the Super W. “The
deep connections to her Samoan roots. Foaese is one of initiative aims to strengthen the pathway for Pacific women in
only three women to have played over 20 international rugby, offering valuable playing opportunities and professional
caps for her country. development to aspiring elite athletes. However, perhaps with an
The Penina Pasifika were outdone by a Queensland interested investor, this idea could be explored further but at the
Reds side, 60–7, in their first game, and lost to ACT moment, this is a development pathway opportunity only.”
Brumbies, 36–17, in their second game. They lost 41–29 There’s room for opportunities for Samoa and Tonga to possibly
to the Western Force before ending their season with a tap into the idea of a Moana Pasifika women’s team based in
54–12 loss to the NSW Waratahs. Even though they lost North Harbour in New Zealand with the men’s outfit. Hopefully,
all the games, the Penina women showed resilience and that will happen someday as women’s rugby continues to grow in
fortitude throughout their campaign. The scoreboard does the Pacific region.

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