Samoa's women's rugby team ended an 11-year World Cup point drought with a historic penalty kick by fly half Harmony Vatau during their match against England at Franklin's Gardens. The three points, scored in the 42nd minute, were Samoa's first in a World Cup since 2010, having failed to qualify for the 2017 and 2021 tournaments and suffering a 73-0 defeat to Australia in their opening match of this year's competition.
The decision to go for the posts surprised even their coach, Ramsey Tomokino, who expected a tap-and-go. Captain Sui Pauarasia instead asked Vatau if she could make the kick, and the shy player nodded. The team scrambled for a kicking tee as the shot clock ticked down, but Vatau's kick sailed straight through the uprights, sparking jubilant celebrations from the squad and the small contingent of travelling fans.
Samoa's team is made up of amateurs, including a property manager, a primary school teacher, and a police officer, who play for the love of representing their country. The national rugby union has been on the brink of bankruptcy since the pandemic, forcing players to crowdfund to cover bills while on tour. Tomokino has often paid operational expenses out of his own pocket.
Despite the financial struggles, Tomokino was emotional after the match, saying, 'Our girls have worked really hard to be here. To walk off the bus and be applauded like that, we've never had that.' He added that while some question whether such mismatches are good for the game, 'what's good for the game is that we're here and we're getting better.'
