2025 Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship
Manusina Samoa 64–14 Lofa Tonga
Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka
Half-time: 33–7
Manusina Samoa signalled their intentions in Sigatoka on Tuesday, putting Lofa Tonga to the sword with a commanding 64–14 victory to set up an exciting Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship decider against hosts Fijiana this weekend.
With a spot at the top of the table on the line this Saturday, Samoa’s ten-try blitz – spearheaded by a ruthless backline and dominant forward platform – underscored their intent as tournament contenders.
It took just three minutes for the Manusina to stamp their mark, as outside centre Tatyana Paying Ah-Cheung sliced through the defensive line for the opening score, with fly-half Harmony Vatau adding the extras.
Winger Davina Lasini continued the early onslaught in the 10th minute, finishing off a sweeping move out wide, before Samoa’s pack flexed their muscle with Easter Savelio crashing over just six minutes later. Vatau was again accurate with her kicks to stretch the lead to 21–0.
Lasini crossed for her second in the 26th minute, and scrum-half Saelua Leaula darted over shortly after to cap a dominant opening half. Tonga offered a brief glimpse of resistance when prop Viviena Hingano muscled her way over in the 35th minute, converted by Ofa Napaa Latu, but the Manusina took a commanding 33–7 lead into the break.
Samoa maintained the momentum into the second half with Lasini completing her hat-trick three minutes after the restart, before making way for substitute Lucia Col Aumua, who wasted little time in making her presence felt, crossing the line in the 54th minute.
A penalty try was awarded to Samoa shortly after as Tonga’s discipline unravelled – further compounded by a yellow card to lock Eseta Vuki – and the Manusina continued to pile on the pressure.
Replacement Drenna Falaniko added Samoa’s eighth try, before Ah-Cheung bagged her brace in the dying minutes. Although Vuki returned from the bin to score a consolation try for Tonga on the final play, the result had long been sealed.
Samoa now shift their focus to Saturday’s winner-takes-all clash against hosts Vodafone Fijiana, who opened their campaign with a similarly resounding 59–5 win over Tonga.
The final scheduled for a 4pm kick-off (Fiji Time) will be shown Live on Mai TV.
Scorers:
Manusina Samoa – Tries: Ah-Cheung (2), Lasini (3), Savelio, Leaula, Aumua, Falaniko, Penalty Try. Conversions: Vatau (4), Salale (2)
Lofa Tonga – Tries: Hingano, Vuki; Conversions: Latu (2)
Yellow Cards:
Tonga – Eseta Vuki (57’), #14 (68’)
Samoa – HIA Injury #11 (68’)
Next Fixture: Vodafone Fijiana vs Manusina Samoa – 4 pm (Fiji Time), Saturday, June 14, Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka – Championship decider.
Photo: Oceania Rugby
