Thirty talented athletes make the Penina Pasifika squad for the 2025 season, as announced by Oceania Rugby. This year’s squad features strong representation from both Samoa and Tonga, with 17 Samoan and 13 Tongan players selected. The Tongan contingent includes six locally based athletes, four of whom have previously represented the national Lofa women’s team.
These players emerged from the on-island combine, highlighting the success of localised talent identification and development initiatives.
Head Coach Ramsey Tomokino highlighted the effectiveness of the Tongan Women’s combine, that was held in January in Nuku'alofa.
“A highlight in selecting this team was being able to attend the Tongan combine, a vast improvement on their 2024 version and a great platform for Tonga women’s rugby and certainly a template for our other Pacific nations to try and emulate. It was great to see the local resident Tongan team win their combine competition and rewarded with the highest representation of players selected (6) with 4 on standby from the teams that competed in the Kingdom.”
The 13 Tongans in the squad are named as: Nata Kilisimasi, Lila Hifo, Eseta Vuki, Margaret Manase, Faith Nonutunu, Ana Ngahe, Sheniqua Taula, Tonga Tuiaki, Mele Akolo, Siutiti Maake Lesieli Tai, Loketi Mahoni, Kristal Taufui.
Meanwhile, the Samoan players were drawn primarily from the Manusina 15s and 7s squads, as well as the Rugby World Cup preparation squad. Impressively, 15 of the selected Samoan players have experience in the Farah Palmer Cup (FPC) or Super W competitions, showcasing the squad’s high level of competitiveness.
This year, the Penina Pasifika team will embark on a four-to-five-week tour of Australia, playing against each of the four Australian Super W clubs during their respective bye weeks. This tour provides an invaluable opportunity for the players to gain experience at an elite level and test themselves against some of the best talent in women's rugby.
The campaign will kick off with a highly anticipated clash against the Queensland Reds at Ballymore Stadium on Saturday, 1 March, at 3:00 PM.
CEO of Tonga Rugby Union, 'Aisea 'Aholelei, emphasised the importance of the initiative for the continued growth of women’s rugby in Tonga.
“The Penina Pasifika program is a vital initiative for the continued growth of women’s rugby in Tonga. Seeing six locally based players selected is a testament to the progress we are making in developing our women’s game and providing opportunities for our athletes to compete at higher levels. This program not only strengthens our player pathway but also inspires the next generation of young Tongan women to pursue rugby with confidence. We appreciate the support of Oceania Rugby, Rugby Australia, and PacificAus Sports in making this possible.”
Coach Tomokino expressed his excitement about the squad’s composition and the potential it holds.
"It is an absolute position of privilege to be given the opportunity to lead this year’s Penina Pasifika program, it is an honour, and we are grateful to Oceania Rugby, Pacific Aus Sport and Rugby Australia for their support. We have amongst the squad, 18 players that have had test match experience, nine that have represented their National 7s teams, six retuning players from 2024 and a total of 19 players that have Farah Palmer Cup or Super W experience. This team is young and exciting with some key experience.”
The Penina Pasifika program, delivered in partnership with Rugby Australia under the Pacific Women's Pathway initiative, is part of the Australian Pacific Rugby Union Partnership (APRUP II) and is supported by PacificAus Sports, a program funded by the Australian Government. The initiative aims to strengthen the pathway for Pacific women in rugby, offering valuable playing opportunities and professional development to aspiring elite athletes.
Penina Pasifika Squad 2025:
Ana Mamea (Samoa)
Ti Tauasosi (Samoa)
Avau Filimaua (Samoa)
Cathy Leuta (Samoa)
Nata Kilisimasi (Tonga)
Lila Hifo (Tonga)
Tori Iosefo (Samoa)
Eseta Vuki (Tonga)
Arwen Patrick (Samoa)
Margaret Manase (Tonga)
Demeille Onesemo-Tuilapea (Samoa)
Precious Auimatagi (Samoa)
Christabelle Onesemo-Tuilaepa (Samoa)
Easter Amataga (Samoa)
Faith Nonutunu (Tonga)
Nina Foaese (Samoa)
Ana Ngahe (Tonga)
Sheniqua Taula (Tonga)
Tonga Tuiaki (Tonga)
Harmony Vatau (Samoa)
Mele Akolo (Tonga)
Keilamarita Pouri-Lane (Samoa)
Siutiti Maake (Tonga)
Soloi Ruby Finau (Samoa)
Lesieli Tai (Tonga)
Loketi Mahoni (Tonga)
Lyric Faleafaga (Samoa)
Melina Salale (Samoa)
Kristal Taufui (Tonga)
