THE last time Fetu Samoa competed in a World Cup was in 2008, when their only win came in the group stages against Tonga, but they will feel much more prepared for the task in hand after beating the same opponent and Fiji in the 2024 Pacific Championships which doubled as World Cup qualifiers.
The world’s fifth-ranked team have a tough opening pool match in Parramatta when they face Australia, who beat them 60-0 when they last met in October 2025. Their other pool matches are against Wales (also in Parramatta) and England (in Wollongong) where they will be aiming for a strong showing to advance past the group stage.
Samoa boasts a strong forward pack, but will look for improvement from their outside backs. At present roughly half of all NRLW competitors identify as having Pacific Islander backgrounds which is rising year on year and will increase Samoa’s competitiveness going forward.
KEY PLAYERS
CAPTAIN Annetta Nu’uausala, sister of former Kiwi international Frank-Paul Nu’aausala, will provide on-field inspiration with her strong charges through the middle. The 31-year-old prop has played 44 NRLW matches.
Former rugby sevens player and Olympic gold medallist Evania Isa’ako (nee Evania Pelite) switched positions from fullback to second row in 2026 and is expected to provide Fetu Samoa with plenty of strike on the edge. She has scored seven tries in 11 appearances for the Gold Coast Titans this year.
Taliah Fuimiaono will have the task of guiding the team around the field in the halves.
COACH
FORMER Samoa and New Zealand international Frank Pritchard took over the head coach role from Jamie Soward following his resignation earlier this year.
Pritchard has experience as an assistant with the Samoa men’s team and in junior development, but he is yet to coach Fetu Samoa in an international fixture.
SQUAD
Laikha Clarke (Gold Coast Titans), Freedom Crichton Ropati (Parramatta Eels), Tyra Ekepati (St George Illawarra Dragons), Jetaya Faifua (Wests Tigers), Taliah Fuimaono (St George Illawarra Dragons), Amber Hall (Sydney Roosters), Evania Isa’ako (Gold Coast Titans), Ivana Lolesio (Gold Coast Titans), Sarina Masaga (Gold Coast Titans), Destiny Mino-Sinapati (Gold Coast Titans), Annetta Nu’uausala (New Zealand Warriors), Christabelle Onesemo-Tuilaepa (New Zealand Warriors), Tavarna Papalii (Brisbane Broncos), Pauline Piliae-Rasabale (Gold Coast Titans), Christian Pio (Wests Tigers), Fanua Rimoni (Gold Coast Titans), Evelyn Roberts (Canterbury Bulldogs), Jasmine Solia (Gold Coast Titans), Jaydika Tafua (Cronulla Sharks), Monica Tagoai (Canterbury Bulldogs), Mary-Jane Taito (Canterbury Bulldogs), Mercedez Taulelei-Siala (Newcastle Knights), Leilani Wilson (Canterbury Bulldogs).
