Fetu young guns are 'born for these moments': Nu’uausala

A fountain of youth has helped propel Fetu Samoa to its first World Cup semi-finals in their third attempt at the premier international women’s tournament.

Eight players from the 17 that enjoyed a 24-6 victory over England in Wollongong are aged 22 years – six of them are 20 or younger.

That win sent Samoa to a semi-final showdown with the Kiwi Ferns next Saturday in Newcastle. 

According to ‘older’ heads in the Samoan team, like 31-year-old co-captain and prop Annetta Nu’uausala, and 33-year-old halfback Pauline Piliae-Rasable, the youthful freedom of expression among the younger players has been the elixir.  

“This year we’ve got a lot more young girls who have joined our squad,” Nu’uausala said.  

"And with these young girls comes a lot of maturity so it's been easy for us to build that connection with them on and off the field. 

"Honestly it comes down to the youth and maturity they've brought to the team. They keep us on our toes and are always willing to learn. 

"That's what Freedom (Crichton Ropati) has shown us against England and in the past two games as well.” 

It is generating quite a few points most definitely. 

Crichton Ropati, 18, scored a hat-trick on the right wing against England, while left-side winger Mercedez Taulelei-Siala, 20, has three tries from the wins over Wales and England, alongside 19-year-old centre Tyra Ekepati, who also has three. 

Nu’uausala said facing the experienced New Zealand would not intimidate these skilful new Samoan players. 

"Not at all. They were born for moments like this,” she said.  

"There's a reason they're performing the way they are. They love the pressure - they see that as a privilege." 

Piliae-Rasabale and Nu’uausala are two of six players who were in the Samoan side at the 2025 Pacific Championships, which close a lost match with the Ferns 22-20. 

"Obviously there's a few new faces in our campaign and among the leadership as well,” Piliae-Rasabale told NRL.com when speaking of the differences between 2025 and 2026. 

"But anyone who puts this blue jersey on is the next one up. They will go out on the field and do their job. 

"It's expected of us no matter who we play. 

"The young girls know no fear and are taking every opportunity with both hands. They're making the most of this time together and we've very proud of them.” 

It has been 18 years since Samoa last qualified for the World Cup and now they are in their first semi-final after falling short in 2003 and 2008. 

Do the young players realise the significance? 

"Well we won't let them think about it too much,” Piliae-Rasabale said.  

“We want them to enjoy the fun of playing and being successful – we want them taking that joy into next week." 

One of the youthful brigade is Ekepati, who has played just 13 NRLW games for St George Illawarra before making her Fetu Samoan debut this year. 

“It feels amazing just to do this for the people we love the most and everyone that’s behind us,” she told NRL.com. 

“It’s not common girls get that support but it’s in our blood, our culture, our families and they’ve kept turning up for us. That means a lot to us and drives us to keep going.”