With results in WXV 1 and WXV 2 going according to the rankings and the formbook, there were no positional changes to the top 10 of the World Rugby Women’s Rankings this weekend.
However, on a weekend of very little movement in the rankings, Samoa’s record 45-17 win over Fiji in WXV 3 did have a big impact.
Samoa easily beat their previous best margin of victory of 12 points in 18 years of playing test rugby against Fiji, and they are now the higher-ranked of the two teams following a two-place gain.
The commanding win at The Sevens Stadium in the United Arab Emirates has sent them up to 15th, one place above Fiji, who started the weekend three places and 2.92 points better off.
Also on the slide are WXV newcomers, the Netherlands, whose 20-0 defeat to European rivals Spain cost them one place. The Dutch are now 17th heading into the final weekend of their debut WXV campaign.
Japan and South Africa trading places was the only other positional change brought about by results from WXV. Both teams were beaten in WXV 2, by Scotland and Australia, respectively, but the Sakura 15s’ rating of 66.89 points was untouched while Springbok Women had 0.34 points shaved off theirs, to leave them slightly behind the Asia champions on 66.73 points.
England, meanwhile, extended their advantage over Canada at the top of the rankings by 0.06 to 7.06 points after they beat New Zealand 49-31 in Langley on Sunday.
Australia, Italy and Spain did improve their rating in victory but the points gained were not enough for them to improve on seventh, ninth and 13th place.
In the Rugby Europe Women’s Conference Latvia won their second test against Norway 50-0 to climb to a new all-time high of 40th.
Meanwhile, ManuSina head coach Mataafa Ramsey Tomokino is now focused on the next task, to get a win in their next encounter of the World XV3.
The coach was happy with the performance against Fiji knowing his players played their hearts out. With that win in the big, the team has not lost focus.
Mataafa said that their victory was a result of having time together and consistency in selections.
“When we have the Oceania Championship our preparation is a mere three to four days, so when you put our victory into context in 2023 where we won Oceania against a Fijiana team who have had two seasons of Super W, we are doing extremely well,” he said.
“Oceania 2024 we had 18 new players, we lost to Fijiana to miss qualifying for RWC in June. We knew what the objective was for WXV3 and that is to qualify.
“The foundation of this victory was laid in Samoa, the first time to play in Samoa since 2009 and to defeat an Australia A side was a great achievement in front of our people and his highness the Head of State and his wife, it was special and to receive there blessing also when we visited was a fantastic experience.”
The team to take the field had a combined test match experience of 192 caps and was superbly led by Captain Sui Pauaraisa, built on a solid forward performance where players like Joanne Fanene Lolo caused havoc, Easter Savelio having a blinder of a game in her 20th test.
Cassie Siataga was able to put the team in the right places, combined with exciting back three players in Karla Wright Akeli, Drenna Falaniko and Linda Fiafia, and a Mastercard man of the match performance from France Bloomfield.
“I couldn’t be prouder of this team. We had a great preparation week after the disappointment of a draw versus the Netherlands, and I shared with our team how calm I was and confident that Samoa would win against Fiji.
“We had a great reminder the evening before from Afamasaga Apollo Perelini who presented our team jerseys, about the significance of receiving the jersey, and who this represents, our people, and being part of the infamous 1991 Rugby World Cup where they turned defence into offence. Manusina were controlled, disciplined and physical, forcing Fijiana into mistakes.”
Mataafa mentioned that his team aims to inspire the people and uplift Samoa. They spoke about opening the door to Rugby World Cup, and they are close to it. If they win against Madagascar next Friday they will walk right through.
He believes they deserve it after having been shut out of the last two editions. With achieving a record score against Fiji, it highlights how good the group he has now.
“If we had the time and number of games Fiji have, we can be a force. We win this weekend that will be five matches undefeated, we are happy to make qualification, however if Spain are defeated by Fiji we will win WXV3. Malo lava Samoa for your support, it is greatly appreciated, we also acknowledge our heavenly father for being the steerer of our ship as we thanked him for our blessings in our lotu today.”
Manusina XV faces Madagascar on 11 October.
