A gallant Fetū Samoa has gone down to the Kiwi Ferns 28-8 in their "Clash of the Pacific" test in Auckland.
Samoa put in a tough defensive effort but the agility and foot work of the home team proved too strong at Mt Smart Stadium.
Fetū Samoa never gave up against the Kiwi Ferns at Mt Smart Stadium Photo: Photosport
Karli Hansen scored the opening try off the back of a hopeful kick which bounced off the outside of the posts before the Ferns scored another through Honey Hireme.
The first half was always going to be challenging for Samoa, who were working against the wind, but they soon found momentum with a quick dummy from stand-off Ricshay Lemanu helping her make way through the defence, putting points on the board at 10-4.
Krystal Rota led the Kiwi Ferns to victory Photo: Photosport
It wasn't long before the Ferns hit back with an impressive fend-off by Autumn-Rain Stephens-Daly, who used her pace to glide downfield, extending the lead to 16-4 at halftime.
The wet weather didn't help either team in the second half, with both struggling to keep their hands on the ball.
However Kiwi Fern Stephens-Daly was the star of the night, scoring two tries and setting up another on her debut.
Fetū Samoa centre Leianne Tufuga was next to cross the line for her side's second try of the night, but it wasn't enough to keep up with the New Zealand side as back-rower Crystal Tamarua scored just before the full-time hooter to bring the game to a close at 28-8.
Karli Hansen scores for the Kiwi Ferns against Fetū Samoa Photo: Photosport
Meanwhile in the curtainraiser match, the Tonga women team were a force to be reckoned with, overpowering Niue 66-8.
It only took four minutes for the kingdom to show they meant business, making the most of their powerful forward pack, with Alice Vailea diving over for the opening try of the match.
Shortly afterwards they scored again, with centre Mele Hufunga proving hard to contain, no matter how many defenders were attempting to grab her.
She converted her own try for an early 10-0 lead.
Confidence started to rise, with another two in quick concession.
Former Kiwi Fern Lilieta Maumau wanted in on the action, getting across the line on the right side. Hufunga added the extras to get up 24-0.
With 20 minutes gone, Niue began to get more opportunities with the ball in hand, and it wasn't long before Bobbi Kamutua wrestled her way through three defenders to score Niue's first international points since 2003.
With hard work and a bit of pace, they were able to make their way deep into Tongan territory, but the Hakula defence was just too strong, allowing them to take a 38-4 halftime lead to the sheds.
Tonga were dominant in beating Niue 66-8 Photo: Photosport
Niue didn't let up in the second half though, coming out firing once the whistle blew, and with a long ball over the top from halfback Moanekah Vaai, centre Holly Hiko touched down for their second try of the match to reduce the deficit.
However Tonga's Hufunga showed she wasn't just about power, making a break and running 70 metres to extend their lead again.
By fulltime Mele Hufunga had secured a hat trick, and Tonga had added another four to secure a 66-8 victory at full-time.