Penina Pasifika arrived in Blacktown, Sydney, following their weekend match against a full-strength Western Force side, showing continued signs of improvement. This time last year, Penina Pasifika concluded their three-match campaign with a total of five tries for the season. However, against the Force, they equalled that tally in a single game - an encouraging indication of progress.
While the coaching staff acknowledges that there is still room for improvement, the team’s steady development is evident. It was a great sign of respect for the program that the Western Force fielded their strongest possible lineup, yet Penina Pasifika, committed to their player development policy, made several rotations from their previous match against the Brumbies. Ensuring all players gain valuable experience at this level is a core objective, and to date, every squad member has now had playing time.
A special moment for the team came with the debut of Demielle Onesemo Tuilaepa, the 56th player to represent Penina Pasifika, after recovering from an injury sustained in training during Week 1 in Brisbane. Ana Ngahe and Loketi Mahoni also reached a milestone, making their sixth appearance in Penina colours, with Mahoni co-captaining the side while also celebrating her 21st birthday earlier in the week.
Match Recap
The game was played in excellent spirits, with both sides engaging in a back-and-forth contest. First-half tries from Angel Schwencke, Eseta Vuki, and Kristal Taufui, alongside a conversion from Mele Akolo, kept Penina Pasifika in the hunt at halftime. However, one area identified for further improvement is the critical 10-minute period after halftime, where both the Brumbies and Force have been able to gain momentum.
In the second half, Avau Filimaua and substitute Precious Auimatagi crossed the line, with Harmony Vatau adding a conversion. The match ended with a 29-17 halftime score, and the second half saw both sides score 12 points each—another testament to the team’s growing competitiveness. While Penina Pasifika made strong inroads into the Force’s 22, they struggled to capitalise on scoring opportunities, a key focus area heading into the next match.
Acknowledgments & Next Steps
The Penina Pasifika team extends their heartfelt gratitude to the Western Force for their warm hospitality post-match. The Force provided a meal featuring a blend of Pasifika and Māori dishes, offering the team a taste of home. This gesture underscored the Force’s commitment to fostering a strong women’s rugby culture, as well as their support for players like Ana Afuie, who has thrived in their environment since joining as an injury replacement.
Looking ahead, Penina Pasifika’s attention now shifts to their final test match against the Waratahs, the reigning Super W champions. Despite an early-season loss to the Fijiana Drua, the Waratahs have rebounded strongly and currently sit atop the table following a dominant performance against the Reds. This match presents another formidable challenge, one the coaching staff is eager to embrace, with a clear focus on refining key areas and finishing the campaign on a high.
During their stay in Sydney, the team will also engage with the local community, made possible through the support of Blacktown Council and Oceania Rugby. Playing in a world-class facility reinforces the team's goal of demonstrating clear pathways for Pasifika players to reach elite competition, ensuring ongoing opportunities at the highest level.
Watch Penina Pasifika against the NSW Waratahs on Saturday, March 22 at 4.00pm AEST, David Phillips Field, Daceyville, Sydney. The game will be live-streamed, and details coming soon.
PacificAus Sports is an Australian Government sports diplomacy initiative developing pathways for Pacific teams and athletes to compete in elite competitions and access high performance coaching in Australia and internationally. The program partners with Australian national sports organisations to support a range of Pacific sports, including rugby league, rugby union, netball, football, AFL, cricket and Olympic/Paralympic sports, with funding split evenly between women and men. PacificAus Sports also partners with the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) to promote Pacific sport through ABC Television’s ‘That Pacific Sports Show’ and ABC Radio’s ‘Fresh Off the Field’. The high-performance outcomes of PacificAus Sports are complemented by the Australian Government’s Team Up program, which focuses on sport for development in the Pacific. For more information about PacificAus Sports and its initiatives, visit www.pacificaussports.gov.au and follow PacificAus Sports on Facebook.
