WXV Global Series Challenger 2026 Preview – Hong Kong China vs Fiji

Hong Kong China and Fiji come into the second matchday of the WXV Global Series Challenger 2026 having both pulled off late wins in the first round, and the Fijiana will be favourites as the higher-ranked team when they meet at Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground on Saturday 19th September.

Photo Credit – World Rugby & Getty Images

Both sides recorded come-from-behind wins in the opening round and will be looking for improvements despite notching up victories.

Fiji are the highest-ranked side of the six teams coming into the tournament at 13th in the world. Coach Mike Legge said of the win against Spain last week, “We have got to make sure that we jump on that and carry it through the rest of the tournament. There is a lot of history with Fijian rugby in Hong Kong, so it’s just good to perform like that here.”

This will be the 4th encounter and Fiji have only won once, but that was the last time they met in WXV in 2024, coming out on top 38-3 in Dubai. The previous encounter to that was in 2017, and Hong Kong China won and qualified for their first-ever Women’s Rugby World Cup along with Japan.

Photo Credit – World Rugby & Getty Images

Hong Kong China Women’s XV lead coach Tumua Ioane said of Fiji, “Fiji are a very physical side, so we can look after our ball a bit better and win a few more moments in terms of the contact space; that’ll probably be where they will challenge us.”

The Pacific Islanders are targeting three straight wins for the first time since the 2024 Oceania Rugby Women’s Championship and Scrum-half Kolora Lomani continues to captain Fiji.

There are several positional changes to the hosts’ matchday squad, and 5 players who could make their first appearances in the WXV Challenger, including one debut.

Starting in the run-on XV is Chloe Baltazar in the second row (set to earn her 12th cap), with Rosie Down earning her first starting cap at scrumhalf. Lucia Bolton also has her first run in the competition as she starts on the left wing for just her 2nd cap – her debut was also against Fiji in 2024.

Among the reserves set to also make first appearances in WXV Challenger 2026 are Iris Tim Yeung Lam (on 9 caps) at hooker, Sum Ki Ng at prop (on 7 caps), and a potential first cap for Georgia Cutt.

The bench has a 6-2 split, indicating that the forwards are in for a mighty battle, but it was the Fiji outside backs who did the damage on the scoreboard in the win over Spain.

Photo Credit – HKFC

POTM from the win over Brazil, Lara Schats is the captain at flyhalf, and her astute kicking game and marshalling of the team will be key to securing a result.

Chloe Baltazar, who watched her team win the opening round from the stands, said that playing in front of the home fans, friends and family is something to savour.

“It is very exciting. It’s always nice to have a home game and have all your family and friends support you there, as well as the clubs that come around with younger girls playing as well. I remember when I was younger, I’d come to matches, and it wasn’t quite as big, but it is nice to see how much it’s grown since I was growing up.”

Of the opening win over As Yaras, she added:

“To see the girls working hard for each other till the last minute – I’m very proud of them. I think it’s always been a whole team effort. It’s the people not playing, people who have been training for a long period of time and building up to this campaign. It’s the effort from everyone. I think it was nice to see how much everyone’s work got put into that game, and the result was also a good bonus.”

Photo Credit – World Rugby & Getty Images

In terms of what she wants to bring to the game, Chloe said, “My carries, maybe some big tackles – I just like being busy. So hopefully, I get busy around the pitch and contribute even in little things, and bring that energy to the team.”

Head Coach Tumua Ioane knows the challenge his side faces but also is adament they want to win every game.

“We understand the physical and dynamic challenge of Fiji. We’re excited to give Georgia Cutt her first cap, and Lucia Bolton as well is really good in terms of her contact in a game – So I am excited to see those two go. With Chloe (Baltazar), she has such a good work rate and physicality around the park.

This is an area for us to pressure test these players in terms of longer-term aspirations around World Cup qualification, so I am excited for Saturday,” explained Ioane.

We will publish a more detailed interview from our conversation with Chloe Baltazar and Head Coach Tumua Ioane on Friday – stay tuned to our social for some video clips.

Match Permutations

• Fiji can drop two places if they lose to Hong Kong China by more than 15 points, and if Spain beat Samoa by that margin.
• Fijiana could also drop from 12th place if they win, depending on the outcomes of Wales v South Africa in the WXV Global Series on Friday.
• Hong Kong China could match their all-time high of 15th if they beat Fiji, unless Samoa beat Spain by more than 15 points and the HKCR margin is smaller.
• If Hong Kong China lose, they could fall a place to 17th if Samoa are victorious.

Hong Kong China Women’s Squad vs Fiji – WXV Global Series Challenger 2026

You can see more from HKCR on the squad announcement here.

1. LAU Nga Wun
2. Tanya DHAR
3. Kirstie STEVENSON
4. Chloe BALTAZAR
5. Roshini TURNER
6. Jenna POTGIETER
7. SIU Wing Ni Winnie
8. Grace HOOD
9. Rosie DOWN
10. Lara SCHATS (CC)
11. Lucia BOLTON
12. Lauren KNOWLER
13. Abigail CHAN
14. Ella LYNAM
15. Sabay LYNAM
16. LAM Tim Yeung Iris
17. NG Ki Sum
18. LEE Ka Shun
19. CHOW Mei Nam
20. Isobel LITTLEHAILES
21. PUN Wai Yan
22. WAN Tsz Yau
23. Georgia CUTT*

Fiji Squad vs Hong Kong China – WXV Global Series Challenger 2026

Match Officials

• Referee: Giana Viljoen (SARU)
• Assistant Referee 1: Precious Pazani (ZRU)
• Assistant Referee 2: Hibiki Ikeda (JRFU)
• TMO: Paulo Duarte (FPR)

How To Watch WXV Global Series Challenger 2026

Depending on your region, all matches should be available on RugbyPassTV. In Brazil, matches will also be available on ESPN Brasil & Disney+.

WXV Challenger 2026 Rugby News

• Hong Kong China Women Clinch WXV Global Series Challenger 2026 Thriller Against Brazil.
• WXV Global Series Challenger 2026 Preview – Hong Kong China vs Brazil
• Hong Kong China Rugby Announce WXV Global Series Challenger 2026 Squad.
• HKCR Women’s XV – WXV Global Series Challenger 2026 – “We want something we can be proud of”.