The Tonga women’s rugby league team will leave no stones unturned when they take on Samoa in tomorrow’s Pacific Bowl Championship clash at Suva’s HFC Bank Stadium.

Speaking to SUNsports yesterday, robust Tongan international Metanoia Fotu-Moala said they know the task on Saturday and that is to win.

“During our preparations, we know Samoa is a very good team,” she said.

“We are focused on our own strengths and what we can do as a team.”

Fotu-Moala has become the One New Zealand Warriors’ first signing from local football for the club’s reintroduction to next year’s NRLW (National Rugby League Women).

The 25-year-old is the third in the family to become a contracted NRLW player. She is following the footsteps of her older sibling Teuila and twin sister Maatuleio.

Former Kiwi Fern, Teulia was a premiership winner with Brisbane in the NRLW’s first season in 2018. This was before she signed with St George Illawarra while Maatuleio had just finished her first campaign in the competition with the Dragons.

An Otahuhu Leopards Junior, front rower Noia – as she is widely known – is the Warriors’ 11th signing so far but the first secured out of grass roots rugby league in New Zealand.

The Tongan team knows that they will have to work hard to secure a place back in the Pacific Cup Championship as their opponent has the same goal.

“We draw a lot of inspiration from our former players like Mele Hufanga. They inspire us and a role model for us still playing,” she said.

When asked about the strength of the team, Fotu-Moala said: “We all come from different backgrounds and we are honoured to come and represent our nation. It is a very warming experience and we will play this Saturday for our supporters.”

She added the team has been in good spirits in the build-up and look forward to a good performance on game day.

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