After starring for Fetū' Samoa in the Pacific Championships, teenage winger Jessica Patea is hoping to have a similar impact in the NRLW.
The 19-year-old Wainuiomata product joined St George Illawarra this year on a development contract and has shown during the Pacific Championships that she has a bright future in the NRLW.
Scoring four tries during the tournament, Patea helped Samoa win the Pacific Bowl and secure a 2026 World Cup berth with sudden-death victories against Tonga and Fiji.
Jessica Patea Try
Samoa also qualified for a place in next year’s Pacific Cup after winning last Sunday’s promotion-relegation play-off against Papua New Guinea at CommBank Stadium.
“My goals are definitely to be back in the Samoan jersey next year … and obviously one of my goals is just to get to the NRLW,” Patea told pan66.com.
Patea was one of seven teenagers who starred in Fetū' Samoa’s World Cup and Pacific Championships campaign, along with Evah McEwan, Lindsay Tui, Sienna Lofipo, Sarina Masaga, Tavarna Papali'i and Mercedez Taulelei-Siala.
The Fetū' were bolstered by inspirational captain Annetta-Claudia Nu’uasala, who has been shortlisted for the 2024 IRL Golden Boot, and Olympic Gold Medallist Evania Pelite.
“It’s just such an honour representing Samoa, and to play with Netta (Nu’uausala) and those players, and to have such a young group of girls on my left side, it’s so cool. It’s a dream,” Patea said.
Samoa’s results are set to see the Fetu skyrocket up the IRL World Rankings after entering the tournament ranked 24th of 27 nations with women’s teams, following a long drought of Test victories.
Last year’s win against Fiji was Samoa’s first since 2008 and the Fetū' has played just six games since 2011 – including three in this year’s Pacific Championships.
Jessica Patea 2nd Try
The success of the Fetū' has been a huge moment in women’s rugby league for the small, proud nation.
“It’s just so overwhelming and all the support we have from Samoa, and just everyone everywhere, is just amazing,” Patea said.
“When we went back home to New Zealand, it was so good. Even when we were in Fiji it was just amazing with all the support we had.”
Fetu Samoa wins the Pacific Bowl
“We have worked hard during the three weeks, and I feel like we are where we deserve to be.
“We just have to buckle down now that we are in the big league, we just have to get ready for next year and the World Cup now.”
