Hong Kong China Women XV Ready for Final WXV Challenger 2026 Battle Against Samoa

We heard from both Hong Kong China Rugby acting Women’s XV Lead Coach Tumua Ioane and player Grace Hood, as they explained the excitement of the final game against Samoa and the progress the team has made as a whole during the WXV Global Series Challenger 2026.

Photo Credit – HKCR

Grace Hood’s Transition to the Forwards – HKCR Women’s XV

Grace Hood started playing rugby at the age of 10 with Sai Kung Stingrays in Hong Kong and earned her first cap for Hong Kong China in 2018 in a Test Match against Spain. She has also represented the HKCR 7s team and is a full-time contracted 7s player at the Hong Kong Sports Institute.

Coming into this series of matches, she had 6 caps, and under Acting Head Coach Tumua Ioane, she has transitioned from centre to the back row and has had an excellent WXV Global Series Challenger 2026 to date. She started as flanker against Brazil and number 8 against Fiji and is due to play the same position against the Manusina.

Photo Credit – HKCR – WXV Global Series Challenger 2026

“Tumua spoke to me about moving to number eight a while back. I was a bit unsure, and I always had thoughts about playing number seven, which at the time I didn’t know were quite similar positions. Tumua always knew what my strengths were on the field, and I feel now I’m able to do what I do best – whether that’s crashing up in the middle or being able to use my ball skills and ball passing wide. So overall, it’s been the best decision for me.”

We spoke to her this week, and Grace was sporting the remnants of a black eye from the bruising encounter against Fiji last weekend. When asked how much she had enjoyed being part of the forwards pack, which is a cohort of its own within any union team, she laughed.

“Apart from my hair getting ripped a bit, I’ve loved it and being involved more because it’s such a physical element on the field. It’s changed the way that I’ve played for sure and get more stuck in. It’s taken a little while to get used to body positioning and transferring the ball, but I’m getting more comfortable in my role.”

Photo Credit – HKCR – WXV Global Series Challenger 2026

She said the experienced forwards have been a huge help, with the likes of front rowers Tammy Lau Nga-wun and 41-cap Lee Ka Shun, as well as Kea Herewini in her ear at set piece time.

“We’ve come such a long way from the start of the campaign. Lots of late-night sessions. Training through torrential rain and all sorts of weather conditions – you know what Hong Kong is like in typhoon season. But it didn’t stop us & we trained all through it.

All the extra running sessions on the weekends, weekend camps, playing against the boys as well. I feel like we’ve really done everything we can to get everyone in tip-top condition for the WXC tournament, and I really think it just goes to show how we performed.”

Tumua Ioane laughed off our suggestion that he beat Springbok Head Coach on the hybrid role claim, with Grace having excelled in the back row after playing at centre.

“What I saw in Grace was a physical threat, an athletic threat, a big body, and she just wants to bang people. I just thought we were struggling to get the ball to her at times, so why not put her in a position where she’s getting more involvement? And those involvements, as you’ve seen over the first two games, she’s really effective within those physical encounters.

She’s done really well, and the encouraging thing is that it’s just like anything else; it’s about getting time in the saddle. To see her doing what she’s already doing with not much time under her belt is really pleasing and very exciting for her future.”

Photo Credit – HKCR – scrimmage vs Manusina before the WXV Challenger 2026 kicked off

Hong Kong China Women’s XV Playing Group Evolving

Overall, Ioana has been happy with the entire squad and the progress they have made.

“I think we’d be really pleased with where they are and the work that they put in. It’s showing late in these games in terms of our resilience and our ability to score tries late. So yeah, really pleased with where the program is at the moment. There’s still so much growth, I believe, for these girls over the next year or so.”

He has been clear throughout that he would like to have won all three matches, but the progress is more important.

“We’re really clear that we want to understand our identity in terms of the way that we play our brand of Hong Kong China Rugby. Things are going on in the background in terms of more exposure for this team and for this team to really progress and get to where we need to be and play more games.

There have been a ton of signings in terms of overseas talent that will be brought into the domestic premiership competition for the upcoming season. The level of that competition is only going to get better. Hopefully, after the Asian Games, the sevens players will only add to that level of competition in the premiership, so it’s a really exciting time for the program.”

Photo Credit – World Rugby – Getty Images – WXV Global Series Challenger 2026

We asked if there were any players in the forwards who have stood out from him, as we had singled out several backs over recent weeks, but the pack has been immense and really given the team front-foot ball to work off and stability at the set piece.

“We need to start with Charli Jacoby (forwards coach and former USA national rep). She’s come in, and she’s a firecracker, but she cares a lot about this group and invests a lot of time into them.

In terms of players, this weekend will be Roshini Turner’s 20th cap. She’s come back from overseas with obviously more experience and is one of our lineout leaders – I am really excited for her this weekend.

In the front row, as a collective, the starters have really done a job, and the girls off the bench have brought the energy. They all understand their role, and it’s about the team and how they work hard for each other to set each other up. I think they’ve all done incredibly well, and I know they will do the job again on Saturday.”

Photo Credit -HKCR – WXV Global Series Challenger 2026 – Sabay Lynam

Without leaving the backs out, he mentioned the fullback Sabay Lynam, who plays Prem Grade rugby in Brisbane (Wests Bulldogs). She is also a member of the HKCR 7s setup, and she will earn her 10th cap this weekend against Samoa.

Tumua Ioane gave us a broad smile and explained, “I said in the first jersey presentation, I hadn’t actually worked with Sabay before this campaign and I sort of mentioned that I wasn’t too impressed from what I saw. But since she’s arrived, honestly, pound for pound, she’s not the biggest, but she’s an absolute weapon.

Some players let the game come at them or be passive. The way Sabay plays, I just love it. We talk about being decisive and making really strong decisions, and that’s what she does every single time. She brings the ball back with intent.

I think there are a lot of girls putting their hands up for other opportunities outside of international rugby, and I think she’s definitely one of them.”

You can read more in our Samoa vs HKCR match preview here.

Last Chance To Play At Home In WXV Global Series Challenger 2026

Photo Credit – World Rugby – Getty Images – WXV Global Series Challenger 2026

With this final match against Samoa, it is the last chance to play in front of family, friends and fans in Hong Kong at the Kai Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground in 2026.

“It’s been awesome, explained Grace. “It’s so hard to describe the feeling, but just like the crowd and just being able to play at home, it’s so exciting. I think it brings out so much in each other and around each other as well.

We have built so much trust in each other to work hard for each other. Being able to celebrate the small wins with each other too and knowing what our purpose is. We’re here to play for everyone and our families and our loved ones. And It’s amazing. It’s such a nice feeling.

I think if we stick to our process and trust our process, it will help us win the game for sure.”

We have known for some time that it will be Lee Ka Shun’s last game, but it’s been suggested a couple of other players might be hanging up the boots internationally after the fixture too, but we will let HKCR announce when its appropiate.

Tickets are available, and there are three matches back-to-back in this final weekend of WXV Challenger 2026 in Hong Kong.

WXV Global Series Challenger 2026 News

• 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.
• WXV Global Series Challenger 2026 Preview – Hong Kong China vs Brazil.