News

Counties Manukau players Margaret Manase and Anita Faimasui-Brown are competing in the 2024 Oceania Rugby World Championships in Brisbane.
Manase (Manurewa) is representing Tonga while Faimasui-Brown (Pukekohe) is playing for Samoa as both countries aim for a spot in the WXV 3 Division and a chance at the 2025 Rugby World Cup. Both players are in the Counties Manukau Academy.

“I am so pleased for Anita and Margaret, who have been rewarded with international selection for their respectful countries,” said CMRFU Women’s High Performance & Pathways Manager Peter Shaw. What a huge moment for both with their whanau. We join their family and friends, who are very proud. With World Cup qualification on the line this tournament has a lot riding on it and it’s been impressive to see the investment and growth of the game in the Pacific in 2024, where so many Counties Manukau players have connections and eligibility for. Both of these young ladies will be targeting significant game time and pushing their case for starts in the XV. Congratulations to all players taking part in this tournament – it will be exciting footy.”