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The 2022 Oceania Rugby Womens Championship gets underway on this afternoon in Auckland when Samoa face Tonga at 1pm followed by Fiji and Papua New Guinea at 3:30pm both games will be played at Massey Park, Papakura.
The 2022 Championship provides valuable preparation for Fiji, ahead of Rugby World Cup 2021 (playing in 2022) and will be the first time Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga have played on the international stage since 2020.
Manusina features 15 debutants for today’s clash with only 5 in the starting line up, Captain Masuisuimatamaalii Paurasia, Easter Savelio, Nina Foaese, Bernadette Robertson and Michelle Curry having stepped out for Samoa previously. Tongan Captain Mele Hufanga, who has played club and provincial rugby in Auckland for the last 10 years, will be looking to avenge their last outing in Auckland when Tonga went down to Samoa 40 - 0.
Papua New Guinea haven’t played since February 2020 and travel with a number of new names looking to make a mark on the regional stage when they face off against a strong Fijiana outfit. The Fijian will go into the tournament with 18 debutants, lead by captain Bitila Tawake, all hoping impress coach Senirusi Seruvakula enough over the tournament to cement a place in the team ahead of Rugby World Cup 2021 (playing in 2022).
Referee Larissa Woolerton (NZL) will be taking charge of Samoa v Tonga with Avii Faalupega (WSM) overseeing Fiji v Papua New Guinea.
All matches will be live on Sky Sports (NZ), Stan Sports (Australia) and Digicel (Pacific Islands).
Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship Saturday 9 July 2022 Samoa v Tonga: Massey Park, Papakura - Kick off 1pm Fiji v Papua New Guinea: Massey Park, Papakura - Kick off 3:30pm
Wednesday 13 July 2022 Samoa v Papua New Guinea: Navigation Stadium, Pukekohe - Kick off 5pm Fiji v Tonga: Navigation Stadium, Pukekohe - Kick off 7pm
Sunday 17 July 2022 Tonga v Papua New Guinea: Massey Park, Papakura - Kick off 1pm Fiji v Samoa: Massey Park, Papakura - Kick off 3:30pm *All times local
