After a rollercoaster season featuring the highs of realising of a lifelong dream and the lows of battling injury, Destiny Mino-Sinapati is now focused on embracing her opportunity to make history.
Named to play for Fetu Samoa in this year’s IRL Rugby League World Cup in their first ever tournament, the rising talent was looking forward building on her up-and-down season while showing the world what her island nation could do.
Playing for the Titans alongside a number of fellow Samoa representatives including Evania Isa’ako and Laikha Clarke this past season, Mino-Sinapati endured a tough time staying on the field after celebrating a career highlight in making her Queensland State of Origin debut.
She suffered a knee injury in Round 1 and upon her recovery had to fight her way back into the starting line-up for a Gold Cast side that went on a record 10-game winning run. However, with every opportunity, she made it count, scoring at least one try in each of her four matches.
“Injuries are so unexpected and in Round 1 when I did have the knee injury, it was kind of back to square one with my rehab, but I just had that one goal of coming back to the team and getting to my best for the girls,” Mino-Sinapati said.
“I think the girls set such a good platform and were so consistent throughout the season, so coming back was a lot easier.”
Back fighting fit, Mino-Sinapati was one of the Gold Coast’s best in their preliminary final loss to the Broncos and was looking to take her good form into the World Cup.
“Definitely international is such a different ball game and something I look forward to every year,” she said.
“To learn more about your culture than be beside your sisters who are a part of the same nationality as something so special.
“To go into camp, you just learn so much about your culture and honestly, you don't even remember much of the footy stuff, you just remember the days off, the bonding sessions, going out, seeing all the fans, and learning more about your culture every day.
Fetu Samoa lay down a Huge challenge to the Jillaroos
“That's something I really take away from those camps.
“(It is) so beautiful, we're so lucky.
“You're just so grateful to go out there in that jersey and represent your people and your family and the and the name on your back.
“To do it for Samoa – I'm half Samoan and half Italian and obviously Australian – but I have a strong connection to my Samoan side and I just really want to go (out and do them proud).”
In the lead up to their opening camp, the Fetu Samoa squad recently joined with the men’s Toa Samoa squad in making a pre-tournament visit to the country to reconnect with the people they were playing for, with special ceremonies and community events.
This year, the team will be guided by new coach Frank Pritchard, with the side facing the tough task of meeting defending trophy-holders the Australian Jillaroos in the tournament’s opening women’s match.
However, it was a challenge the Broncos-bound back was embracing.
“Last year, we attended a few fan days and to see the big crowd that turned up for us and to know that you're representing a whole nation back in Samoa is so special, we just want to do them proud and bring home the trophy for them," Mino-Sinapati said.
“You get goosebumps talking about it, but just to look up and see all of them supporting you, it’s just something you can't really put into words.
“(I am) so grateful to represent Samoa in the World Cup … it's huge to be playing a World Cup, it is crazy.
“(We have) a new coach, we did have Sowie [Jamie Soward] and he was amazing, and I've been coached under him a few times and he was great, and it’s great to have Frankie in the in the new role this year.
“I think he'll do amazing and he's already built really good connections with us girls and we're really keen to be coached under him and learn a lot from him.”
Match: Australia v Samoa
Round 1 -
home Team
Australia
away Team
Samoa
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Rugby League World Cup 2026 returns to Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea. Where nations clash, heroes rise, and legends are forged. 3 World Cups. 26 Teams. The World’s Best. Tickets are now on sale from $19. Don’t miss the pinnacle of global Rugby League.
