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

Hong Kong China take on Manusina in the final round of WXV Global Series Challenger matches at the Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground on Saturday 26th September, with the hosts looking for a second win and the Pacific Islanders chasing a first victory.

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

In what will be just the second-ever Test between the two (Samoa won 34-15 in 2019), the hosts will be seen as the favourites. HKCR have six players who featured in that loss 7 years ago: Nga Wun Lau, Tim Yeung Iris Lam, Mei Nam Chow, Wai Yan Pun, Ni Winnie Siu and Abigail Chan.

The two sides know each other well, with two of the Samoan players as well as their Head Coach Bella Milo all having played in Hong Kong, and the sides had a hit-out before the Tests got underway a couple of weeks back. Samoa have had two defeats but have improved as the matches have progressed – they fell to the Dutch 0-70 and to Spain 21-61.

Hong Kong China pulled off a late comeback win over Brazil 29-24 but came unstuck against Fiji 26-54, but did pick up a bonus point. They come into the final round one place ahead of Samoa in the World Rugby rankings in 16th, and 4th on the WXV Challenger log.

Photo Credit – World Rugby – Getty Images

Key to a Hong Kong China win will be a better start as they have come back well in both games but leaked too many points early – three-quarters of the points that Hong Kong China have conceded (59/78) have come in the first half.

Dual 7s and XVs HKCR international Gracie Hood has made the hybrid transition from centre to number 8 and been excellent this series.

She said, of Samoa, “We’ve got no doubt that we’ve got this. They’re a big team; they put a lot of size on us. But at the end of the day, if we stick to our process and if we do what we do best and just believe, we’ll be okay, and we’ll come away happy. 

We’re a very fearless team and quite relentless on the field. Playing against obviously bigger opposition in the last two games, we’re just super excited for this last game and ready to give it all we’ve got.”

Acting Head Coach Tumua Ioane explained, “The set piece has been a really important part of our game in the first two matches of the tournament. That won’t be any different this weekend against another big pack. We want to continue getting the ball into their hands.

I am looking forward to challenging them up front in terms of our set piece game again,  and I know Samoa will be excited for this last game. They’ll be wanting to get on the plane in high spirits.”

Photo Credit – World Rugby – Getty Images – HKCR Women

In terms of the growth the team has seen, Ioane was complimentary of the whole coaching setup and singled out the S&C team.

“A big thing for us was needing to get this group to better physical capacity with their conditioning to play the type of rugby that we want to play. Obviously, it’s been a big part of our game. We want to play the ball to space. We want to play fast. And to be able to do that, you’ve got to be able to be fit enough to go for long periods and be all over the show.”

A win on Saturday would mean 2 out of three during these fixtures, which most people would view as a good outcome.

He said, “I think in terms of what success looks like, we’re chasing clarity in how we play Hong Kong rugby. Identification of players that can play at this level moving forward into World Cup qualification.

We want to play fast, we want to play to space, we want to have an efficient set piece, and we want to be really clear and clinical with our set game. If we show that again this weekend, if we get a win, that would be obviously massive and great for us.”

There are three changes to the side: Georgia Cutt, who made her debut last week, starts on the right wing, Kea Herewini comes back in at tight-head, and Wai Yan Pun (as co-captain) starts at blindside flank.

Some milestones for HKCR will see Roshini Turner earn her 20th cap, Sabay Lynam her 10th, and it is expected to be at least one player’s final Test – the most capped HKCR Women’s XV player Lee Ka Shun will end on 42 caps when she comes off the bench to make one final impact!

Photo Credit – World Rugby – Getty Images – Samoa Women

For Samoa, they will be chasing just a 4th Test win since 2024 if they achieve victory, but discipline will need to be improved. The Manusina have received five yellow cards in total in the tournament to date.

Samoa Head Coach and Former Valley and HKCR Women’s coach, Bella Milo, will know many of the opposition players well and will want to conjure a plan to defeat the team she coached a few months ago. She will know that the defence will need to be shored up for that to happen – in six of their last seven tests, Samoa have conceded 50+ points.

In the front row, Prop Janita Faoagali Kareta and hooker Itema Takisha Aliitasi Filipaina will both earn a first start, and in the backs, Fa’asua Makisi and Lutia Col Aumua come in at inside centre and right wing, respectively. Prop Ariana Matua could make her debut from the bench.

Match Permutations

• Hong Kong China can equal their all-time high of 15th if they beat Samoa and the Netherlands are beaten by Fiji, provided that one of the margins is more than 15 points.
• Samoa cannot fall below 17th in defeat.
• If Manusina win big and the Dutch lose to Fiji, they will return to 15th – but any win will see them take the HKCR spot in 16th.

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

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

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

Match Officials

• Referee: Amber Stamp-Dunstan (WRU)
• 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”.