Samoa's women’s rugby team, Manusina, earned a spot at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England, marking their return to the global stage after an 11-year absence. Their qualification came through a remarkable campaign in the 2024 WXV 3 tournament, where they secured second place. This competition in Dubai saw Samoa display outstanding form, including a dominant 45-17 victory over Fiji. Their qualification also included a comprehensive 46-15 win against Madagascar, which solidified their position as one of the teams to watch as they head to the World Cup.
The 2025 tournament will be a significant challenge for Samoa, as they are placed in Pool A, alongside the formidable host team, England, as well as Australia and the USA.
This pool includes some of the world's top teams, with England currently ranked as the world’s number-one team. However, Samoa’s recent performances show a team growing in confidence and ability, with key players like scrum-half France Bloomfield and Cassie Siataga leading the charge with critical plays during their qualification journey.
Samoa's participation in the 2025 World Cup represents more than just sporting success; it highlights the growth of women's rugby in the Pacific. Manusina last competed at the World Cup in 2014, and since then, they have worked hard to develop their program, demonstrating a significant evolution in their tactical and physical play. Their journey back to the World Cup is seen as an inspiration for many aspiring female athletes in the region.
The team showed resilience in their WXV 3 campaign, especially in managing high-pressure situations and bouncing back from earlier setbacks, such as a draw with the Netherlands, which underscored their ability to adapt and improve. Samoa’s coaching staff and players are now focused on preparing for what will be one of their toughest international assignments yet, aiming to make an impact on the world stage once again.