Kiwi Ferns centre Mele Hufanga went the length of the field to seal an incredible 22-20 comeback win against Samoa. Photo: Brett Phibbs
It was a match of clutch moments, from Apii Nicolls' try-saving tackle, to Patricia Maliepo's corner conversion, but it was Mele Hufanga's runaway try which ultimately completed the Kiwi Ferns' incredible comeback over Fetu Samoa.
A shellshocked Kiwi Ferns side were hit by a Samoan onslaught in the first half, and they went into the sheds staring down a 20-0 deficit.
Cue the comeback.
A three-try blitz in a little over five minutes had the Ferns back within striking distance, before Hufanga plucked a Fetu kick out of the air, with 90 metres and no defenders ahead of her.
While the Samoan cover was closing in, Kiwi Ferns skipper Georgia Hale had no doubt Hufanga had the gas to get there.
"She's lethal. We just needed to find her some space and that was a great finish it off."
Hale was all praise for Fetu.
"They had a really strong start. They came down and they bashed our front door down, we know they're a physical side and they competed right through to the last minute."
Coach Ricky Henry was overcome with relief come the final whistle.
"But in the same breath, Samoa's a good team. They are going to be a force. We've just got too many good players to not to come back and have some fight in us, and that's what I was really proud of."
A shellshocked Kiwi Ferns side were hit by a Samoan onslaught in the first half, and they went into the sheds staring down a 20-0 deficit. Photo: Brett Phibbs
It was a completely different ferns outfit in the first half, as they struggled to string possession together and fell off dozens of first up tackles.
"We were a bit scratchy and disconnected. We couldn't find a rhythm in the game and we had to be patient with it and had to wait it out and really back ourselves to get back in the game."
Henry said the message at half-time was a simple one.
"Just to be calm. We knew we weren't playing our best football, but we had to go and earn it back. We didn't start too well in the second half either but then we found a little bit of momentum and figured it out on the run and then came home strongly."
With four NRLW captains in the side, Henry was confident they had the experience to recover.
"We showed some class here to get ourselves back in the game there and we've got some good leaders and just sort of shows up our connection and us believing in what we're doing.
While a home game on paper for the Ferns, the crowd remained firmly in Fetu's corner throughout at Mount Smart.
However, despite the hostile reception for New Zealand, Hale said it was an electric atmosphere.
"It's so nice to see the international game blossom and we see it through the Samoan supporters. I'm sure we'll see it through the Tongan supporters when the men play them in a couple of weeks time. It's just so nice to see bums and seats supporting the game that we all love so much.
Both sides will be back in action for another double header in a fortnight, the Kiwis to meet Tonga while the Ferns meet the Jillaroos.
Kiwi Ferns haka during the Pacific Championships rugby league test between New Zealand Kiwis v Toa Samoa at Go Media Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand. Saturday 19 October 2025 Photo: Brett Phibbs / www.photosport.nz Photo: Brett Phibbs
