The SacPAL Amazons fielded teams in the U18, U16 and U14 girls’ divisions of the North American International (NAI) 7s, demonstrating strong numbers out of a pandemic year. The U16s went undefeated en route to their age group’s title, while the U18s and U14s finished 5th in their respective competitions.
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The U16s didn’t allow a point against during day one of competition, defeating the Celtic Panthers 46-0 and Idaho’s TOA 31-0. The third match was supposed to be against the Celtic Barbarians, but the team had pulled out of the event.
“We went in with a mindset that every team had talent,” Sacramento coach Siope Tausinga wrote. “What played a big factor for our U16 side was staying tight and just doing what we have been practicing. We were able to keep our line and move the ball and that is what allowed our girls to make exceptional gains.”
Sacramento advanced to the Saturday quarterfinals against Kahuku, which had outscored its pool play opponents 90-10. The Amazons readied for a big test, but had to do so without co-captain Ro’Elenoa Lagilagi, who awoke to shoulder pain and was thus sidelined.
“When our team arrived for our second day of play, I pulled Eseta Pale to the side and asked her to play a position she had never played,” Tausinga explained. “She is an all-around consistent performer mentally and physically, and that is what we needed.
“With our captain Noa on the sideline it forced our girls to dig deep against Kahuku,” the coach continued. “I knew with Veisinia Brown and Alopa Maafu playing hooker and prop, we would be able to contain Kahuku’s power. … [They both] played well under pressure, demonstrating their skill.”
Sacramento beat Kahuku 19-17 and followed with a 33-7 semifinal win against Belmont Shore. On the other side of the bracket, EIRA was cleaning up. The National Development Program beat its pool play opponents 99-14 – including a 19-14 win against Kahuku. EIRA beat Maui 12-7 in the quarterfinals and then Rhinos Rugby Academy, another NDP, 19-14 in the semifinals.
“In the final against EIRA, we went in knowing they are skilled, handpicked and will capitalize on any mistake we make,” Tausinga prefaced the title match. “The plan was to first test their winger, then test their prop. The girls adjusted as needed.”
The Amazons crossed the try line first, but it was recalled for a penalty. Shortly afterward, EIRA put the first points on the board, but Sacramento answered through prop Hualani Trejo: 5-5 into the break.
“Going in to the second half I told the girls, ‘We are going to move the ball and take what EIRA gives us. We are going to go in and attack all sides,’” Tausinga recapped the halftime talk. “They did just that.”
Scrumhalf Iliana Manoa, who earned high praise from Tausinga for her non-stop pressure in the rucks and quick ball movement, attacked through the middle of the pitch to free up Hualani for a second try. This time EIRA answered with a try and added a conversion to take a 12-10 lead. Tausinga pointed to Masalina Koi for keeping the squad calm and structured, and that guidance helped produce a final lead change.
“With less than a minute [in regulation], EIRA lost possession from a penalty five meters away from our try line,” Tausinga set up the go-ahed try. “We attacked the middle quickly and got the ball out to our speedster, Kori Fields. Kori was able to get by two EIRA girls, scoring the final try with no time on the clock. … Every girl played a big role in our success.”
Sacramento capitalized when it counted to win the NAI 7s U16 Cup.
U16 ROSTER
Akanisi Baleisuva
Iliana Baleisuva
Veisinia Brown
Kori Fields
Tupouseini Fotofili
Vaimoana Havili
Masalina Koi
Ro’Elenoa Lagilagi
Alopa Maafu
Iliana Manoa
Eseta Pale
Hualani Renee Trejo
The U18s went 2-1 on day one, defeating Badger Selects 14-12 and Rocky Mountain 29-19, and falling to Charlotte Tigress 33-0. The team was relegated to the Plate competition after dropping a 31-19 Cup quarterfinal on day two, but finished with two wins – 35-17 vs. United and 31-10 vs. Scottsdale – to win the Plate.
“Even though we brought talent across the board, with all the graduations, preparation for the next chapter of adulthood, and passing of a huge influencer/supporter, Ofa Mann, the chemistry and moving the ball were not at the level we wanted as a team,” Tausinga explained. “One of our two captains, Afeiauupu Mann, whose grandma is Ofa Mann, played her heart out through the whole tournament. She made her tackles, closed the gaps, stayed positive and respectfully changed the game tempo in most cases. Fei was able to influence the girls with her actions on and off the field.”
U18 ROSTER
Isabella Basquez
Cameron Fields
Susana Kaihau
Fonokimoana Kolokihakaufisi
Sosepa Makalo
Leitafoi Makihele-Tia
Afeiauupu Mann
Elesiva Mann
Philomena Namosimalua
Winnie Namosimalua
Longosai Tausinga
Ovava Tonga
The U14s also finished in 5th place and did so with a squad of mostly 5th and 6th graders.
“When we entered our U14 team into this tournament, the coaches’ thoughts were, ‘Let’s get our young group some exposure and experience.’ With experience comes lessons,” Tausinga noted. “We wanted them to see what hard work looks like. Then the time came, and they achieved more than what we expected. The team came together, the girls worked the ball.”
The U14s took day-one wins against South Davis and Rocky Mountain, and fell to eventual champion Rhinos Rugby Academy Green.
“Jessa Makalo suffered from an injury the first game of our first day. We still had a long way to go, so I wanted her to rest for day two,” the coach explained. “That allowed Ateca Tamanalevu to step up. She is a motivator with a, ‘We got this,’ attitude. She was uplifting the team and aggressive.”
Makalo did indeed return well rested for day two and brought a fire with her.
“Jessa finished strong and was able to make game changing tackles while uplifting the girls with positivity and motivation,” Tausinga praised.
Wing Lauryn Tamanalevu had a great tournament and stretched the defense from sideline to sideline, and the whole length of the field. Palepa Brown injected a ton of physicality onto the pitch.
“ … [M]ost times you would see two girls tackling her, which allowed us to swing the ball and have a 2-on-1 advantage,” the coach lauded Brown.
Day two started with a 17-5 loss to the Majestics, but finished with back-to-back victories against Panther7s – 26-12 in the final pool play round and 20-0 in the 5th place match.
“This year has been tough for our young girls,” Tausinga closed. “Being a close-knit team, we lost one of our number one supporters, grandma Ofa Mann. This hit hard for all our girls, especially Temaleti Mann, who by nature is quiet. She is more of a show-by-action type of player. And that is what she did – making tackles, scoring tries and never giving up. I know her grandma was proud. Our young girls ended stronger than when we started. Building a better bond amongst each other and proving their skill level.”
U14 ROSTER
Palepa Brown
Sarea Brown
Emma Fifita
Ana Katavake
Emily Katavake
Adi Lagilagi
Jessa Makalo
Temaleti Mann
Nalani Saafi
Atecca Tamanalevu
Lauryn Tamanalevu
Reyama Tavai