Karla Wright-Akeli of Samoa breaks clear from the tackle of Aviame Veidreyaki of Fiji to score a try during the WXV 3 2024 match between Fiji and Samoa at The Sevens 2 Stadium on 5 October 2024 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Photo: Christopher Pike – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images
Samoa and Spain put themselves in pole position for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 qualification following the second round of WXV 3 2024 in the United Arab Emirates.
Manusina were unrecognisable from the side that drew with the Netherlands last weekend as they secured an impressive 45-17 victory against Fiji at The Sevens Stadium on Saturday.
In the final match of the second round, meanwhile, Spain made it two wins from two with a 20-0 defeat of the Dutch.
That victory keeps Las Leonas top of the standings, three points clear of Samoa and five ahead of Hong Kong China and Fiji.
Hong Kong China maintained their own hopes of playing at England 2025 as they beat Madagascar 38-7 on Friday.
A brilliant break by scrum-half France Bloomfield created the opening score for Samoa inside three minutes at The Sevens Stadium as Linda Fiafia finished in the right corner.
Cassie Siataga missed the touchline conversion but was successful with a penalty shortly afterwards to stretch her side’s lead to eight points.
Fiji cut their deficit to a single point around 10 minutes later though as number eight Karalaini Naisewa touched down at the base of a powerful attacking scrum.
Luisa Tisolo added the conversion, but Samoa restored their eight-point lead almost immediately as Ana Mamea went over and Siataga added the extras.
Two more successful Siataga penalties stretched the Samoan advantage still further before the break, Manusina heading into half-time 21-7 in front.
Fiji had an Adita Milinia try ruled out for obstruction at the end of the first half but Tisolo reignited their hopes of a revival as she crossed the whitewash early in the second.
The full-back converted to bring her side within seven points again. However, she was shown a yellow card soon after and Samoa took full advantage.
Manusina scored through Karla Wright-Akeli and Bloomfield while they had a player advantage, and the latter then added another with 10 minutes to play.
Tisolo did get her second and Fiji’s third try late on but the result was beyond them by then and Easter Savelio added a sixth Samoan try to round off a comprehensive performance.
-World Rugby
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Manusina Samoa turn their focus to the upcoming WXVs competition in Dubai after they defeated Australia A 20-17 on Apia Park, on Monday evening.
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