The Fijiana and Samoa's Manusina registered impressive wins over Tonga and Papua New Guinea respectively in the first round of the 2018 Oceania Rugby Women's Championships.
2018 Oceania Rugby Women's Championship Photo: Supplied
There was strong local support for the international women's matches in Fiji at Lautoka's Churchill Park on Friday.
In the high scoring first match, Samoa beat Papua New Guinea 56-45.
The Manusina captain Sui Pauaraisa offered high praise for her team.
"I'm so proud of the girls as it's our first game together as a team and we're all from different places," she said.
"We didn't know our opposition except that they were quick, so we opted to use our strength which was our forwards."
In the second match the home side was always going to be the crowd favourite and they didn't disappoint in play or in points differential.
The reigning champions stamping their authority at the outset of the competition beating Tonga 53-8.
Tonga's captain Va'iga Moimoi was gracious in defeat.
"I'm just proud of the girls and the effort they put into the match," she said.
"Just this morning it was the first time for some of the girls to put on a mouthguard. I'm just really proud of the girls and proud to represent my country."
On Tuesday in Round 2 Samoa face Tonga and Fiji play PNG.
