Players of Samoa celebrate following the WXV 3 2024 match between Samoa v Madagascar at The Sevens 2 Stadium on October 11, 2024 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Photo: Christopher Pike – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images
Samoa has qualified for the Women’s Rugby World Cup for the first time since 2014.
Manusina Samoa beat Madagascar 46-15 in the WXV 3 to finish second overall in the competition and secure their spot at next year’s World Cup in England.
Spain meanwhile wrapped up the WXV 3 title and World Cup qualification with a 10-8 victory against Fiji.
Fijiana full-back Luisa Tisolo had a conversion to draw the match and hand Samoa the WXV 3 title, but sliced her attempt wide.
But second was enough for Samoa to qualify.
“This win is for our people,” the Manusina XV team said on their social media.
“We are so grateful for all the prayers of our elders, the love from our peers, the support from our family and friends and all the Samoan community in Dubai for coming out in numbers for us.
“We couldn’t have done this without your support.
“All glory and praise back to our good Lord for this blessing.”
Madagascar went into the match against Manusina Samoa as underdogs, but it was the African side that took the lead early on.
Claudia Rasoarimalala scored in the left corner with less than four minutes on the clock. But the lead didn’t last long as Samoa’s Cassie Siataga converted her own try at the other end.
Machiko Silila F Fepuleai became the first Samoan to go into the sin bin in the 19th minute and they were reduced to 13 players just over 60 seconds later, when Angelica Uila was shown a yellow card.
Siataga stretched the Manusina lead with a penalty and that advantage increased still further before Samoa were back up to 15 as Harmony Vatau went over for a try.
Joanna Fanene Lolo scored Samoa’s third try after they had been restored to a full complement, although Madagascar’s Tiana Razanamahefa touched down shortly afterwards.
But Samoa scored two tries in the opening exchanges of the second half as Denis Aiolupotea and Sydney Niupulusu went over.
And after Razanamahefa added a penalty for Madagascar, Samoa crossed the whitewash twice more, through Lolo – which came in between yellow cards for captain Sui Pauaraisa and Nina Foaese – and Karla Wright-Akeli.
The final try was scored while Madagascar themselves had a player, Oliviane Andriatsilavina, in the sin bin.
Meanwhile, Fiji and New Zealand will also be at the 2025 world tournament.
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Australia secured their World Cup spot at the WXV 2 at the weekend.
Both the title-winning Wallaroos and beaten finalists Scotland had qualification for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 confirmed at the final whistle, joining WXV 2 rivals Italy and Wales in booking their tickets to England.
World number ones England beat Canada 21-12 to win the WXV 1 title.
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