Fiji Claim Inaugural World Rugby WXV Global Series Challenger Title – Hong Kong China Defeated by Samoa

Fijiana won the inaugural World Rugby WXV Global Series Challenger 2026 title, defeating the Netherlands 20-17, while Manusina beat Hong Kong China Rugby 34-17. Due to a prolonged heat delay, the final match between Spain and Brazil was cancelled.

Photo Credit – World Rugby – Getty Images

It was a day of frustration for all involved at Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground and those watching from afar after long delays as World Rugby implemented its heat protocols for the severe heat in Hong Kong, but questions do need to be raised about the process and protocols.

Both Fiji and the Dutch had finished the anthems before they were hooked off the field. In the end, the long delays meant the final game between Spain and Brazil was also cancelled, denying them points in the Challenger event and denying them vital game time, and the subsequent posts from both teams suggest they were happy and will be looking for compensation.

The final table saw Fiji on top, followed by the Netherlands, Spain, Hong Kong China, Samoa and Brazil.

Photo Credit – World Rugby – Getty Images

Fiji Win WXV Global Series Challenger 2026

Fijiana ran out 20-17 winners, with the winning kick coming in the 80th minute against the Dutch. Fiji led 12-7 at halftime thanks to tries from Merewairita Neivosa & Ivamere Nabura Rokowati, but Elisabeth Boot scored for the Dutch in the 38th minute.

The momentum had shifted as the team in orange ended on top, and they scored first to level it at 12-12 in the second half through captain Linde van der Velden.

They then went ahead for the first time, 17-12, as the highly regarded centre Pleuni Kievit (who has played in Japan and with the NSW Waratahs) scored a try in the 56th minute.

Fiji made countless mistakes, struggled under pressure, and were unable to break the orange wall. After the 60-minute water break, Fiji had relentless attacks for the first time in a long time. Somehow the Dutch defence held off waves of attacks, but replacement Selai Naliva powered over to tie it up again.

Fijiana maintained ball retention and pressure for the next 12 minutes and won a penalty in front of the posts. Varanisese Qoro slotted it to put them ahead just before the hooter – she racked up 35 points in the Series. At the final whistle, the Fiji players dropped to their knees in triumph. They have now won four consecutive matches after beating Japan and all three games in Hong Kong.

The Player of the Match was Fiji #7 Merewairita Neivosa.

Fiji captain Kolora Lomani said, ” We knew they were going to bring it to us, and it was a very tough game. Credit to our girls for those final minutes. It was a breathtaking game, and we created a lot of opportunities to score, but mistakes let us down, and the discipline nearly cost us.”

Photo Credit – World Rugby – Getty Images

The Dutch captain, Linde van der Velden. said, “I’m really proud. Our goal was to perform better than last time in WXV, and we did that. Some decision-making and some inexperience cost us, but you can see we belong on this stage.”

It was their Head Coach Gareth Gilbert’s final match with the Dutch as he returns to South Africa. She said he was celebrated by the team. “It was significant when he stepped into our program and look at us now. It’s thanks to him, and we’re happy for him and wish him all the best, but we will miss him.”

Samoa Overpower Hong Kong China

Manusina Head Coach and former Hong Kong China Coach Bella Milo celebrated their first win of the tournament and played their best game in Hong Kong against the hosts. HKCR, on their part, had another poor start, and one they could not come back from as they have in the past, with Manusina winning 34-17.

HKCR lead coach Tumua Ioane said, “Obviously today hurts, but it hurts because there was real belief in the group, not just internally, but we could feel it in terms of our support and in the stands. I’m really proud of the growth in the group, so yeah, not getting that result today really hurts.

I said to the girls they’ve put in a lot of hard work, and it’s shown in this tournament in terms of how good they can be, and they’ve just got to keep believing in that work and continue to move forward with future tournaments that come up. If they continue to put the time in and really, sort of grow in that professionalism space, they’re going to be a force on the world stage.”

Photo Credit – HKCR WXV after WXV Global Challenger Series HKG. Retiring legends Lee Ka Shun (L) and Chow Mei Nam (R) front and centre

It was also the final game for HKCR legends, former captains Chow Mei Nam and Lee Ka Shun, who announced their retirements ahead of the match. Lee hangs up her boots as HKCR’s most-capped women’s fifteens representative with 42 appearances.

Chow captained the squad at Hong Kong China’s first appearance at a Rugby World Cup in 2017 in Ireland. She did end her international career with a try in the 80th minute in the loss.

Samoa scored twice in the opening minutes to lead 10-0 (tries by Lutia Col Aumua & Precious Auimatagi), and it took HKCR a full 10 minutes to put their first meaningful attack together. Following a yellow for Samoa, Tanya Dhar scored her 4th try of the Series from a rolling maul, which has been their most effective weapon all WXV Challenger.

As a collective, kicks out on the full, missed tackles, and dropped balls all compounded the pressure Samoa was exerting in defence and with ball in hand. Samoa were up 17-5 by the half-hour mark, before Tanya Dhar claimed a double to go into the half trailing 10-17.

The opening ten minutes of the 2nd half were an arm wrestle, but the Samoans were playing with more confidence and making huge meters with their carries. Two more tries within 5 minutes for Samoa put the game beyond doubt and secured them a bonus point.

Hong Kong China captain Lara Schats said, “They were a tough side, and they outplayed us and outmuscled us, and were unreal. We usually know how to come back, but we couldn’t find a way today. We kept going to the 80th minute, so I’m proud of the girls.”

Photo Credit – World Rugby – Getty Images – HKCR’s Tanya Dhar

Dhar, who scored 5 tries, said, “I don’t want to take full credit for those tries because it really is a team effort. The other forwards really do the dirty work for me.

Honestly, it’s such a privilege to represent Hong Kong. I had a couple of disappointments, maybe not delivering the way I wanted to in the past, and I’m glad that over this tour I was able to, thanks to my coaches and thanks to the other players, show what I’m capable of doing.”

Samoa scrumhalf Ana Afuie was POTM. Victorious Samoa captain Michelle Curry said, “I’m so proud of the team and management and so happy for those girls. I think the last 4 weeks have been a building process for us and given us time to fine-tune our strengths, and we showed what we can do with the ball in hand too.”

Photo Credit – World Rugby – Getty Images

WXV Global Series Challenger 2026 News

• Hong Kong China Women XV Ready for Final WXV Challenger 2026 Battle Against Samoa.
• Hong Kong China Women’s XV Defeated by Fiji But Take Away Positives.
• WXV Global Series Challenger 2026 Preview – Hong Kong China vs Fiji.
• Hong Kong China Women Clinch WXV Global Series Challenger 2026 Thriller Against Brazil.