Sāmoa-born rugby talent joins Ireland World Cup team

An up-and-coming Sāmoan athlete is participating in her first Rugby World Cup with Ireland, who have opened their campaign with a convincing 42-14 win over Japan in Northampton, England.

Ireland scored six tries to Japan’s two at Franklin’s Gardens. The bonus-point win places them second in Pool C behind New Zealand, who defeated Spain 54-8 on the same day.

Auckland-born Ivana Kiripati moved to Ireland at the age of three and received her first call-up to the Irish women’s team recently. Speaking to Latonya Lole on Pacific Huddle, Kiripati says she was “really shocked” when the coach contacted her.

“Blessed to have this experience. It took me like a whole week to really take in what the coach told me. It's good, I'm blessed and I'm very lucky to be in the situation that I'm in,” Kiripati says. She says her selection marks the latest milestone in a rugby journey that has always been important to her family.

“My dad first moved over here because he got a contract to play rugby. Then my mom eventually hopped onto the bandwagon and both my parents played. I grew up surrounded by rugby, watching mum and dad, learning about the sport, every weekend rugby on the TV.”

She says her siblings also played rugby. Kiripati came through the Irish system from under-18s to under-20s, playing in Sevens, the Home Nations, and the Celtic Cup before her senior call-up. Although raised in Ireland, Kiripati takes great pride in her Sāmoan culture.

Listen to Ivana Kiripati's full interview below.

“I'm a proud Sāmoan. Both of my parents are Sāmoan. I can never forget that part of my life”. Kiripati’s family remains her strongest support system, and she says that her parents will likely “try and make all [her] games”.

“If my siblings can come, they’ll come too, but I know my mum and dad for sure. They’re always on the sidelines whenever I play rugby.” The 22-year-old has recently returned from four years in the United States on an academic and athletic scholarship.

She says the experience broadened her game, as she switched between positions in the backline and forwards, but ultimately reinforced her commitment to rugby in Ireland. When asked about her role on the team, the back row forward is modest but clear.

“I definitely am new. It's my first time and I guess I can do my part for the team when I'm on the field. Making those tackles, those carries, passing the game line for the girls and making sure I'm not a liability to my team-mates.

“I want to create a system of love around these girls because that's all they've shown me. So I hope that I perform on the field as much as off the field as well.”

As Kiripati looks forward to the World Cup tournament, she has a simple message for young girls aspiring to reach this level: “Times get hard and things will be difficult, but don't give up if you still want to play rugby. If you want to play rugby at this level, don't give up on yourself.”

Ireland continue their Pool C campaign against Spain on 31 August in Northampton, while Japan face defending champions New Zealand in Exeter.

Australia delivered a record‑breaking 73‑0 victory over Sāmoa in Pool A, while Canada crushed Fiji behind Julia Schell’s six‑try blitz in Pool B. Scotland also impressed with a dominant 38‑8 win over Wales in Pool B, as New Zealand’s the Black Ferns defeated Spain 54‑8 to sit atop Pool C.

The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup will draw to a close on Saturday, 27 September with both the bronze-playoff and final at Twickenham.