Samoa and Tonga have named eclectic squads to play in the women's Rugby World Cup repechage qualifier this weekend.
The Manusina women's rugby team pack down a scrum in training. Photo: Supplied/Samoa Rugby Union
14 new caps have been selected to play for the Manusina, which features a debuts for players from Northland and Tasman.
Eleven featured in New Zealand's Farah Palmer Cup competition, while five are fresh from representing the Fetū Samoa rugby league team last weekend.
Tonga has 11 debutants taking the field, three players from the Farah Palmer Cup, one player from the Kiwi Ferns, and two who played for the country's league team.
Manusina coach, Ramsey Tomokino, said the women have been through the trenches in the last month, but he knows the girls will back up and play their best.
"We've got a few of the girls that played Fetu last week but I know that they're going to back up. I'm confident in this group and every day we get better," he said.
Tomokino said the expectation from every Samoan watching is that they win, and that is certainly what they are chasing.
Photo: Supplied
