women’s rugby
international-women’s-rugby
The WXV Global Challenger Series delivered yet another thrilling weekend of rugby, with Spain, Fiji, and the Netherlands securing victories during the tournament’s second round at Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground.
From intense set-piece battles to eye-catching offloads, we break down the key talking points from the second round of fixtures…
Las Leonas return to their fearsome best
Spain’s national side got back on track with a dominant 54-21 victory over Samoa. The team coached by Régis Sonnes displayed an impressive array of offensive tactics and creative plays to systematically break down the Samoan defensive line.
Even though Manusina showed a much better defensive performance compared to their previous loss to the Netherlands, Spain executed ruthlessly when it mattered, led by the intelligent playmaking of half-back pairing Anne de Cortés and Naroa Azpitarte.
It was not just the Spanish backs who caused problems with possession; their forwards were also deeply committed to a dynamic offloading style, maintaining continuity and turning opportunities into scores.
The trio of Alba Capell, Valentina Pérez, and Carmen Castellucci proved incredibly difficult to halt at the advantage line, constantly searching for the crucial offload to put their teammates through gaps in the Samoan defense.
Furthermore, with players like Claudia Peña Hidalgo executing sensational plays—such as an exquisite cross-field kick from a tap-and-go penalty that resulted in a score—Spain looked effortlessly fluid, dictating the tempo from the opening whistle.
At certain points, it felt as though Spain had extra players on the field, with support runners appearing everywhere across the offensive line, eager to contribute to an impressive win. Their performance was reflected in the statistics: nine line breaks, 21 beaten defenders, and nine tries, securing their most historic win over Samoa to date.
Regardless of their general brilliance throughout the game, the current Women’s Rugby Europe Championship holders occasionally showed some untidiness, which almost allowed Samoa to capitalize with first-half scores.
Looking ahead to the final round, Spain will target another commanding performance to wrap up their campaign successfully in their upcoming clash with Brazil.
Fijiana slice through opposition defenses
Though Hong Kong China attempted to deny Fiji possession, they faced a monumental challenge as the Fijiana cruised to a 54-26 triumph. The visitors’ direct running angles proved too difficult for the home side to contain, securing Fiji’s consecutive victory.
The opening brace of tries from Fiji was spectacular, showcasing a blend of elusive footwork and relentless, physical dominance, highlighted by outstanding efforts from Adi Salote Nailolo and Varanisese Qoro.
Qoro emerged as a key player on the field, not just because of her four defense-splitting runs, but also due to the continuous pressure she applied to the opposition, injecting energy and drive into her team’s offense.
Similarly, seeing reserve prop Selai Naliva and captain Manuqalo Komaitai navigate tight channels to breach the defense and facilitate tries was remarkable, highlighting how every player in the Fijian squad possesses game-changing abilities.
Although the home team battled bravely, they simply had no answer once Fiji hit their stride, unable to cope with the rapid passing, sheer speed, and robust contact skills of their opponents.
An intense battle up front
Supporters of traditional, physical forward play were treated to an epic contest between the Netherlands and Brazil. The two nations were locked in a stalemate for the majority of the match, with the final result hanging in the balance until the last ten minutes.
The opposing forwards clashed for set-piece superiority, as As Yaras asserted control in the scrums while the Netherlands managed the lineouts effectively, keeping the scoreboard incredibly tight.
With total commitment from every player on the field, the game became a war of attrition; Brazil led for periods, but the Dutch team rallied to take a 17-10 advantage heading into the final quarter of an hour.
The South American side pushed hard, utilizing their scrum and rolling maul to cross the line, but the Netherlands remained disciplined, tackling fiercely and seizing opportunities to secure turnovers.
Ultimately, a late second try from Brazil was not quite enough, as the Dutch side’s steadfast defensive line held firm to seal their second victory of the competition.
