Proud Samoans and long-time friends, Anastasia (Ana) Mamea, Glory Aiono and Uluulumatafolau (Lulu) Leuta, are current rugby players of the Manusina XV, the 2023 Oceania Rugby Women’s Competition champions and credit each other and their families for their successes in their rugby careers so far. 

The 21-year-olds hail from their villages,  Vaiala, Matautu Lefaga (Mamea), Fasito’o Uta and Falelima (Aiono), as well as Salani and Faleasiu (Leuta), expressed their immense pride in representing Samoa in the Oceania women’s competition, along with the valuable experiences gained from it.

“It was more of an opportunity [I think] for myself - for all of us to be seen. Just to show off our talent, instead of club rugby - there are Scouters, but they’re not really here to look at us. It was way better to be on TV - we just took the opportunity to show our talent to the world,’ said Leuta.

Mamea and Leuta debuted for the Manusina XV in 2020, while Aiono debuted for the team this year and played alongside each other, which Aiono added is one of her favourite memories as a part of the trio. 

According to Aiono, the girls help each other "not only on the field but off the field."

Mamea and Leuta are two of the ten Manusina players selected for the second Oceania Women’s Rugby combine based on their performance at the 2023 Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship, they will be making their way to Fiji in August alongside Aiono’s older sister - Jacqui Aiono who was also selected.

"I just feel like we worked hard and it's finally paying off - but I mean, like do the mahi get the treats -  that's just how I see it," said Leuta. 

At 13, the girls were attending Kedgely Intermediate School, a school in South Auckland, Mangere, when they were first introduced through rugby.

In 2014, the girls attended Aorere College, and each took up different positions in rugby. Mamea played as a lock, Aiono as a wing, and Leuta as a hooker. It wasn’t until they reached Year 12 that they formed a trio, according to Mamea.

“That’s when we became like the main [trio]…that was just us”, added Leuta. 

Leuta said she has always played as a hooker, even to date. Meanwhile, Mamea and Aiono have switched positions throughout the years. Presently Aiono plays as a prop while Mamea takes on the positions of number eight and prop.

Aside from being part of the Manusina XV, the three individuals are affiliated with other rugby clubs, including Counties Manukau and the Manurewa Rugby Football Club and have all been a part of the clubs for under six years. 

They expressed that the Manurewa club has played a significant role in boosting their rugby careers.

“It got us to Counties, connected us through heaps of representative teams - and they're like pro athletes [almost],” added Leuta.

They also credited Sam Aiono, Glory’s older brother, for teaching them how to play rugby and introducing them to the sport. 

As a trio, they have fondly reminisced about their accomplishments, including navigating through secondary and club finals, as well as reaching the finals of an international rugby tournament. 

Aiono also shared her experiences as a new mother and her passion for rugby that she could return to the field just three months after having a cesarean birth.

“She [her daughter] was a setback, but she was a motivation for a major comeback,” added Aiono.

They equally share their thoughts on how hard it is mentally to balance sports and outside commitments, especially in a male-dominated sport.

“Sometimes [other players] or when you don’t make the team, you’ll feel like it’s over, but it’s not - you just have to keep training and come back stronger next season and do something else,” Mamea added.

The Manusina XV girls are now gearing up for their next game in October which will be held in South Africa.