Young talent time: Inside the rise of Samoa's rookie class

Fetū Sāmoa five-eighth Tavarna Papali’i has described her role in the stunning try that secured the Pacific nation’s place in next month’s World Cup play-off as a career highlight.

Papali’i regathered a kick from halfback Pauline Piliae-Rasabale and passed to lock Evah McEwan before wrapping around to receive the ball back and send centre Lindsay Tui over for the final try in Samoa’s 30-16 win.

The 2022 Australian Schoolgirls captain, who overcame a ruptured ACL last year to make her NRLW debut this season and play in Sydney Roosters grand final win, was one of the rookies to star for Samoa.

Titans centre Sarina Masaga and 19-year-old Dragons winger Jessica Patea, who is yet to make her NRLW debut, scored two tries apiece, while Papali'i was player of the match in her Test debut.

“It was pretty special because at the Roosters I’ve been coming off the bench and playing in the middle, which I love as well, but being able to get back to an edge and ball play a bit more - especially for my country- was super special to me,” Papali’i said.

“My dad was born in Samoa and he is very proud, as is all of my family back home. Now that we are going to New Zealand [for the World Cup play-off], I'll get to see all my dad's side of the family over there.

“I know they're cheering for me far and wide, and I can definitely say that my dad's super proud, especially when I first told him that I made the team. For him to see me win would have topped it off for him.”

Detailing the lead up to Tui’s 65th minute try that booked a place in the World Cup decider on November 2 against the winner of Saturday’s Fiji-Cook Islands Test, the 19-year-old revealed she had spotted Tongan fullback Ana Malupo out of position.  

“I just saw the fullback [Malupo] start shifting really far right and our aim was to kick to the right, but once I saw her out of place and the post was free, I just screamed at 'P' to kick for post,” Papali’i said of her call to Piliae-Rasabale.

“I was chasing my hardest, I felt a bit scared I was going to get kicked straight in the gut in the air but then I had Evah McEwan outside me and I popped the ball back to her.

“She got a couple more metres, popped it back to me, and then I could give it out to my centre Lindsay Tui.

“It was very surreal, very hectic. I was very scared at first, but I had all the confidence in my left side and my team for working the whole 70 minutes to get us through. Being able to put the finishing touch on the win was pretty special.”

Fellow rookie Sarina Masaga scored two tries to cap a rollercoaster season in which she was sidelined with a shoulder injury before making her NRLW debut for the Titans in Round 7.

“A few months ago, I couldn’t have imagined myself being here right now,” Masaga said.

“To be where I am is just full credit to my coaching staff and my physio team for trying their best to get me out on that field, and credit to myself as well for just working hard, staying in there and just fighting to get better every day.

“Both my parents are Samoan born and then they move to New Zealand to build a life for me and my siblings, so to play for them is special.

“To be one step away from the World Cup means everything to us girls. We are just going to go out there and give it our best.”

Masaga is one of four Titans players in the Samoa squad, while injured centre Niall Williams-Guthrie is on the team’s staff.

The 20-year-old said Williams-Guthrie and Titans superstar Evania Pelite had helped her prepare for a successful debut.

“I’m grateful and pretty lucky to be able to play alongside some of my fellow Titans girls,” she said. “I think it's pretty cool, especially to learn off Niall and Vani, who have got experience in different codes as well.

“Especially Vani’s leadership that she shows and just her actions as well. Niall just her comms and advice because she is a centre, as well, so I just try to take all the advice from Niall and put it into action.”