Fetu Samoa’s return to the Women’s Rugby League World Cup began with a challenging test against defending champions Australia, as the Jillaroos claimed a 40-0 victory at CommBank Stadium on Friday night.
Facing one of the most accomplished sides in international women’s rugby league, Fetu Samoa were tested across 80 minutes in their opening match of the tournament. Despite the result, the occasion marked an important opportunity for the Samoan side to compete on the world stage and represent their culture in front of a global audience. For head coach Frank Pritchard, the significance of reaching the tournament extends beyond the result on the scoreboard.
“Being on the World Cup stage, playing against Australia and Kiwis, there’s not many opportunities for our young ladies, and to get here is great for our girls,” Pritchard said.
“We are not just here to make the numbers.”
The message reflects the ambition behind Fetu Samoa’s campaign. Competing against established international programs provides the squad with an opportunity to measure itself against the best, while gaining valuable experience at the highest level of the game. Against Australia, that challenge was evident early. The Jillaroos capitalised on their attacking opportunities to establish control, forcing Fetu Samoa to spend extended periods defending against a side with considerable international experience.
Fetu Samoa continued to compete through the defensive pressure, with Freedom Crichton-Ropati among the players to draw attention for her efforts. The winger produced a notable defensive tackle as Samoa worked to contain Australia’s attacking threats, offering a glimpse of the determination required against the tournament favourites. While the Jillaroos ultimately secured a convincing victory, the opening fixture provided Fetu Samoa with a benchmark as they begin their World Cup campaign. Beyond the contest itself, the tournament also carries personal significance for players representing Samoa and their cultural heritage. For co-captain Evania Isa’ako, wearing the Fetu Samoa jersey represents a connection to her Samoan roots and an opportunity to continue learning about the culture she is proud to represent. Her journey to the World Cup carries particular meaning, having previously represented Australia at the 2022 tournament before committing to Samoa in 2024 in honour of her mother’s heritage. That connection adds another dimension to Fetu Samoa’s presence at the tournament, with the team representing both the nation and the wider Samoan community watching around the world. For the young women in the squad, opportunities to compete on this stage are significant. The experience of facing international opposition, adapting to the demands of a World Cup and continuing to develop together will form part of the team’s journey throughout the competition.
Friday night did not deliver the result Fetu Samoa had hoped for, but their World Cup campaign is only beginning. The challenge now is to take the lessons from their opening performance into the matches ahead, build on the experience gained against Australia and continue to compete with pride in the jersey.
Fetu Samoa will next face Wales as they look to respond in their second match of the tournament. For Samoa, the mission remains bigger than one result. Fetu Samoa have arrived on the world stage with an opportunity to represent their people, inspire the next generation of Pasifika women in rugby league and demonstrate their determination to compete among the international game’s leading nations.
